Sam Ting Wong
Don't mock it. Before HR scum took over recruitment, one could go to Andrea and put a good word in. It's how many of us had our files pulled from the thousands and ended up in CX. I also know of a few cases where tossers have had their applications binned after a quiet word was had.
In an earlier life I would recruit pilots to an operation I was running based on the recommendation of those already working for me. Takes the risk out of the hire.
In recent times I have got in contact with some CX lads (ones I know as good blokes and good operators) and put them onto a couple of outfits recruiting where I have back channel contacts. They are in the process of interviewing now.
Networks do exist and they do work.