You're correct, when I said a "sponsor" I meant a current ups pilot who's written an internal recommendation for someone.
I should've been more specific.

So what's the "proper" way of checking up on someone's status?
I don't know? I'm simply being cautious. Maybe too cautious?

This might be a potential multi-million dollar job offer and I'd be nervous about screwing it up. In "previous life" I worked with recruiting at 3 smaller airlines. I'd attend a job seminar of some kind every three months or so, be it AIRINC (I just dated myself), WAI, OBAP, NGPA, FAPA or a few smaller, regional job recruiting functions.
..and the HR departments were always short-staffed and always working their behinds off. Some of the recruiters would get very frustrated when recent interviewees called to check up on their status.

I realize things might be different at ups and maybe they don't mind? I figured a sponsor (current ups pilot who's recommending someone) would be a much safer bet. Job fairs are pretty safe too, that's what they do for a living.
An email probably wouldn't hurt either but personally I'd wait a while longer.

Again, I don't know what the secret code is? I simply believe that this job is too important for someone to get too impatient. So my recommendation is simply what I'd have done if I were in his or her shoes. YMMV.

I think we both agree that we want them all to succeed!