Why does the simple task of transferring pics which should be drag and drop, from my phone to computer such a hassle..
Are you using iCloud Photo library on the iPhone? Then syncing using a USB connection will give random results. The problem is, that you can only transfer photos from the camera roll by a USB connection. If you are using iCloud Photo Library on the iPhone, use it on the Mac as well, and that would require using the Photos for Mac application and not iPhoto.
If you are not using iCloud Photo Library, explain in more detail what the "hazzle" is - does iPhoto not see the iPhone at all, or does it just not launch? Then launch it manually after connecting the iPhone. Does Image Capture see the iPhone?