I am in the job I do now (non-aviation) purely as a result of who I know (albeit with the necessary basic required skills). Its a good job that I wouldn't have got if I hadn't known who I do and I’m sure the same would count, to an extent, in aviation. I would have no problems whatsoever making friends with somebody just to get on the inside. Call me shallow? Maybe, but there isn’t any charity in this game.