I'm sure this is true, but it doesn't justify the organizational arrogance that is often seen in the interview process. One all-day round of interviews is fine,

I'm sure this is true, but it doesn't justify the organizational arrogance that is often seen in the interview process. One all-day round of interviews is fine, but when people are pulled out of work for 3 or 4 days just to interview, and informally expected to interview at their own expense, that's ridiculous. Selecting good candidates is extremely difficult and most companies and people suck at it, but coming in to the process with a rotten attitude isn't going to make it any easier or better. A large percentage of "programmers" shouldn't be. They don't like programming (enough to be good at it) and many just don't have the talent. This doesn't mean one should be a dick to them. Can you fault them for aiming comically high in the job search process? It's what everyone is told to do from the cradle in this country. And the "collateral" fall-out is that this attitude often alienates people who actually are talented and who quite possibly may be future customers, partners, et cetera.