When I went to a M&G the CP told me the only reason he was meeting with me was because he trusted his pilots sponsor a good person. I think it is a good program because there is responsibility of the sponsoring pilot to recommend someone he trusts. There is more riding on it than just writing a letter for someone. You are personally vouching for someone. I can think of plenty of people that are decent people and I would write a letter for, but only a couple that I would ask a CP to sit down with.
As I have said before, I think UAL is doing an incredible job with hiring....every new hire I have met in my short time here is a great person and enjoyable to be at work with. What ever they are doing, I hope they keep doing it!