Every job I've ever had has been the result of a "contact" and it is fairly common place in all industries.
If you've ever got a job in that way, it is a bit rich to start shouting that nepotism is wrong.
Can't say I have - did it all the hard way
Do know a guy who worked for a Gulf airline in the 80s who flogged his log a bit after leaving his previous outfit where daddy was a wheel - If he's reading this; Yes we did know about you
Apart from the RAF, I've spent the majority of my flying career in a seniority system and it seemed to work very well. As has already been stated: Just because you get to the top of the FO heap doesn't guarantee a command but it should guarantee command assessment and/or a command course.