Originally Posted by seabass

I recently had a discussion with a fellow coleague and we were talking about logging IRO flight time. Now some guys are logging their IRO time as PIC, while others are logging IRO time as strictly SIC time.

I wish the FAA would just come out with some clear language (never gonna happen) concerning logging of IRO time. In the mean time, I just follow the most conservative means of logging IRO time. I'm not saying what I do is gospel, but it's what I can explain intelligently referencing my company FOM coupled with the absence of clear cut language from the Fed's. I log IRO time as IRO and total time, not PIC or SIC. In other words, I treat IRO as it's own separate animal.

My question is: Is it acceptable to log IRO time as PIC?

In my opinion, no. You didn't sign for the plane, your not PIC. I'm not gonna address ambiguous regs about "acting PIC", your not the PIC, bottom line, IMHO.

Do the Major/Legacy airlines dispute this flight time in the log books?

I wouldn't put myself in a position where I would have to dispute this. I work for a major and have heard of some folks not getting hired because of logbook falsification with regards to the manner in which IRO time was logged, specifically logging it as PIC.

All our FO's are typed and qualified in the aircraft and are flying in the left seat, but are not the one's that signed their names as the PIC.

All Part 121 airlines from my understudying have to Type their pilots in equipment. You actually answered your question...."but are not the one's that signed their names as the PIC".

My concern is that when we go to an interview (i.e. SWA, UAL, UPS, FEDEX) are they going to frown upon this practice??

Your concerns are warranted. Just be ready and able to explain your logbook. Try not to paint yourself in a corner where you are doing the "dance". Thorough research of the company application and flight times requirement should guide you in the right direction.

Such a grey area......

It's really not. If you are struggling with how you should log the time, then your gut is telling you not to log it as PIC, IMO. My grandma once told me..."If it's to good to be true, it probably is." This simple advice has served me fairly well.

Seabass