Maybe so, but I heard this somewhat recently. I think the old method guaranteed an applicant would enter the interview process if the chief pilot recommended. I think this power was taken away from the chief pilots. But, I suppose depending on the chief pilot, there is no rule against a pilot taking a candidate in to meet the chief pilot simply as a part of networking. The chief pilot can send an email saying he recommends the applicant be pulled from the stack to be considered (no guarantees).