Friend of a friend syndrome. It's everywhere.
Same at ACJ - know of one young cub with far less experience than some prop jocks knocking down the doors who got taken on...thanks to dad, his four stripes and buddies...It's almost as bad as the casting couch. Seems to me the job ads are written in such a way to allow this to happen...and prevents any litagious thoughts...
If you know someone in WS, TS, AC, Z4, Porter....yadayadayada.... irrespective of what the formal app process is, and they walk in your resume and put in a bland word or two, the chances of getting hired just multiplied many times over. The fact your resume as at the top of the pile, helps too.
It's hard thing to admit, but it's rife.