Unfortunately I can't help with any of the other stuff, but I do believe there are only 50-60 in the pool right now. I was hired with no internal recommendations, so they are not required, but I'm sure they can't hurt, depends on who it is from I guess.

At the risk of being flamed for this next part, since you are re-entering the job search, you might think of changing your avatar, atleast until you are picked up somewhere (been there, done that, as a former MEC Rep for ALPA, understand the union has it's place, but looking at it from the employer standpoint, it may not be the message you want to send). Aviation is a very small world, and you never know who in the hiring department may be reading.

Good luck and take care