Luck definately played a part, but so did hard work. Sounds like that person really pounded the pavement going to multiple job fairs, plus the "incredible education" whatever that means. Could be something like Harvard pre-med or Georgia Tech engineering with a 3.9 GPA or something. That says a lot.

I'm continued to be shocked at how poorly and infrequently pilots that want dramatically better jobs actually network and better themselves outside their logbooks. It really doesn't take that much effort either when you step back and look at it. A day of your time and a suit you have anyway, a tax deductible entry fee and maybe a hotel room. Repeat a few times a year and IMO one's chances go up significantly. Not to mention numerous volunteer opportunities that make a big difference while taking up a minimal amount of one's time.

Getting a 2.9 in feelings from State U. while marking time in the right seat flying your sked and nothing else and doing nothing extra to differentiate yourself won't be generally successful until deep into the upcoming hiring wave.