How would you handle the currently-employed with a such a setup? Having to either give notice or use up a week's worth of vacation days just for an extended interview at a single company sounds like a real horror show from the interviewee end.
Contract-to-hire at least gives you a couple months of fairly sure income.
I was employed when I did my trial week at Weebly, and I had to use a week's vacation to do it. Weebly paid for my time, not to mention the trip to SF. Obviously it was worth it to me, but I can see where you're coming from.
Contract-to-hire at least gives you a couple months of fairly sure income.