Copa
You are right up to a point.If a candidate thinks that did everything O.K
and didn't get a proposal,if he asks for the reason of not been hired,nobody is gone give him an explanation,regarding his failure.
As far as references,they don't always say the truth.
References should be at the bottom line of the requirements and to be used, if needed.
As long as you have done everything else correct,references don't count.A pilot is checked on the sim and secondly in the tests.