Agreed it's a pain and it should be fixed. It's worth pointing out that the H1B application process grants the right to work in US while the visa stamping grant

Agreed it's a pain and it should be fixed. It's worth pointing out that the H1B application process grants the right to work in US while the visa stamping grants the right to enter. Getting a visa is mainly based on a security assessment. They want to make sure you will follow the law (including leave the US when your visa expires) and that you're not a threat of any kind, my guess is that the local consulate/embassy is better equipped to make this assessment.