  We test a crossing orbit stability criterion for eccentric planetary systems,
based on Wisdom's criterion of first order mean motion resonance overlap
(Wisdom, 1980).
  We show that this criterion fits the stability regions in real exoplanet
systems quite well. In addition, we show that elliptical orbits can remain
stable even for regions where the apocenter distance of the inner orbit is
larger than the pericenter distance of the outer orbit, as long as the initial
orbits are aligned.
  The analytical expressions provided here can be used to put rapid constraints
on the stability zones of multi-planetary systems. As a byproduct of this
research, we further show that the amplitude variations of the eccentricity can
be used as a fast-computing stability indicator.
