This talk has gone on many many many times and I just have three things to say:
1) Read the article;
EAA445 SAFETY PILOT
2) Check out the thread on this;
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fl...-time-pic.html
3) 61.31(d)2. Limitations on operating an aircraft as the Pilot in Command. To serve as the Pilot in Command of an aircraft, a person must......
Be recieveing training for the purpose of obtaining an additional pilot certificate and rating that are appropriate to that aircraft, and be under the supervision of an authorized instructor.
I would recommend that everyone get a copy of the FARs explained by Kent S. Jackson It answers many questions that folks like to argure about.
Seems to me that according to this as long as the training is going towards their commercial pilot cert. they can log the time as PIC. As long as before they solo it or take it up with a non-instructor they get their endorsment there shouldn't be a problem.