William Snow wrote:

So, that begs another question, what is the thinking that justifies no
logging of pic time when dual is being logged, post solo, pre checkride??

Because nothing in the rules allow it. Post-solo is not any kind of
regulatory event. You can only be pilot in command on a student
certificate if you are the sole occupant of the aircraft (because
the student pilot limitations say you can't be PIC with passengers).

The rules for logging, say that recreational and better pilots
can log sole manipulator time (even when getting instruction) but
student pilots still have to be solo.