Isn't sending resumes to HR doing it wrong, anyway? They can't ever hire you (unless, for some reason, you want to work in the HR department), but they can decline to pass on your resume to those who can. Better to correspond directly with a hiring manager.
What fantasy land do you live in, and can I join you?
Yes, if you're networking your way to a job (the best way to do it), you might be able to do this. I've done it several times successfully, but it is NOT the norm for outside applicants. Through normal, everyday, channels HR gets first crack at it.
I agree 100%. And I send resumes rather than LinkedIn profiles. I've worked in corporates in great teams and HR have been, well, HR (an industry where people generally end up after being unable to do whatever else they wanted to).
But perhaps you don't want to work in an organization where parts of the organization are allowed to suck? Where hiring is considered important enough for resumes to go straight to your manager? There's a not a lot of these places, but they're often the ones with the top talent (and they're likely to find your resume than you have to chase them).
In one sense, it's an indicator that they don't think the way you think.
This could be the kiss of death for a junior job seeker, but for those people who are more senior, experienced and can be choosers as opposed to beggars, it might be an OK screening method.