Theres been a few from my ex employer. And a few of those are recent. I think you would find that in the process of eliminating some applicants from others the people that do the interviewing are all to happy to have input from someone who knows a pilot from the past somewhere. Surely you can't fault them for that especially as it is important to get the right personality aswell as a competant pilot at
VB. Interviews are not known for bringing out pilots personalities I can assure you. Thus a good character reference can sometimes help the panel avoid rejecting someone who is quite suitable but otherwise presents poorly. Just such a poor presentation has cost a few in the interview I believe.
Having said that I have recommended a few without success. Perhaps you have as well and thus your frustration with the process. In any event the system seems to be working so why change it? Most of the pilots I see do a good job.