Andrew Sarangan wrote:
Once the safety pilot assumes control of the aircraft and lands, the
other pilot will obviously not be the sole manipulator. Therefore the
other pilot can only log PIC for the enroute portion. Since a XC flight
must involve a landing, I don't see how he could log the flight as XC.

Part 61.1:
(ii) For the purpose of meeting the aeronautical experience requirements
(except for a rotorcraft category rating), for a private pilot certificate
(except for a powered parachute category rating), a commercial pilot
certificate, or an instrument rating, or for the purpose of exercising
recreational pilot privileges (except in a rotorcraft) under §61.101 (c),
time acquired during a flight...

Note "time acquired during a (XC) flight"; it is a XC flight, therefore you
may log the time acquired during it. It's as simple as that, black and
white; no mention of 'planning' in sight and nothing that says you must be
any form of required crewmember during the *entire* flight.

Hilton