unless you are with an instructor working on the ratings
No, surely... unless you are with an instructor. I don't think you have to be working towards the rating to be able to log the hours; just with an instructor (who IS rated obviously!).
I have nearly 10 hours JetRanger time (whoopy-doo I hear you say) but no JetRanger rating. All hours are logged as valid as I was with an instructor in each case. What's wrong with that? I don't want to do the rating yet as it's expensive to maintain!
So, GoodGrief, would you be kind enough to answer TiP's original question as to why you get a headache when you see someone with 600 hours and 5 type ratings? Would your headache be lessened if there were fewer type ratings?
Cheers
Whirls