I don't claim to be an expert, I am just another guy hoping to get called for an interview, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (just kidding). But I did sit in on a Higher Power/SWA seminar today and one of the ladies from the People Dept said they have hired people without ever contacting one of their references. The inference she made is that they have their own references within many organizations that they can contact to get some inside scoop on applicants.