I refer to one of my previous comment "don't make it complicated"
In principle I tend to agree as a first reaction, but get immediately into trouble when defining borders. If a right seat pilot takes control he/she gains more experience then a left seat PIC staring at the autopilot for hours. Consequently one must exclude hours under A/P from being logged as PIC time, or would A/P cruise not qualify, but on APP or in traffic circle yes?
you are tying yourself up in knots with this.
On that assumption re: A/P operation then many flying instructors have grossly over logged their claimed hours also. sitting in RHS twiddling their thumbs while stude gets on with it.