[El Gato]

They might have more total time, but the majors really care about PIC time

Well I guess I was thinking that even with 3 pilots, they'd still get lots of pilot in command time, because each mission would be longer and they'd trade off. So they'd each get a smaller fraction, but still lots of total time as PIC. I would assume they log fractional flight as PIC?

[USNBandit]

Only the Aircraft Commander is allowed to log Pilot in Command Time. So when a P-3 guy gets to his first squadron he is going to be spending quite a while getting his Aircraft Commander qualification. Until then he isn't getting any PIC time.

When you are at the controls you are logging First Pilot time, but that is different. For instance if you are a copilot at a commuter and it is your leg you are logging first pilot time when at the controls, but you log no Pilot in Command Time.

In order for these commuter guys to make themselve competitive for the majors they have to work their way into the left seat and fly for a couple years to build the PIC time they need.