voodoo2,
Please don't slip on a hood or foggles while flying passengers, you're being paid to look outside!
Regarding AI time (actual instruments, or IMC time) it is entirely possible in the US to be on a VFR flight plan and also be IMC. Lights on offshore at night is one example. You can see and avoid traffic, but you have no visual reference, therefore you are in IMC and can log it. (This also points out a hole in FAR's, since this leg offshore doesn't need an IR, nor instrument equippage, nor an IFR control system, but only the very brave should fly it without such.