I log sim time in total time because part 61.51(b)(1)(ii) says to "log total flight time or lesson time." Just because the log book says "total time" doesn't mean that part 61.51 says its for "total flight time." Also, part 61.1(b)(12) says:
Pilot time means that time in which a person-
(i) Serves as a required pilot flight crewmember;
(ii) Receives training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device; or
(iii) Gives training as an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device.
One aspect no one has talked about is "other time" (a term the air force uses) or when you have more pilots on board than required (i.e. long international flights). I have a lot of flights in the E-3 and the KC-135 that there were 3 or more pilots. So for part of the flight I wasn't in a pilot seat and thus logged "other time" for that part of the flight. I put the total duration of the flight in the total time column and only the time I was in one of the pilot seats (primary and secondary time) in the multi-engine column. To get my total pilot time for an airline interview I add up my SE and ME time. Kind of like I can't look at my PIC column and use all of that time for most airlines applications PIC time. Only time I "signed for the aircraft". In others words your log book isn't solely for an job interview, but also for currency and training for ratings.