We all know that knowing someone will make things easier in life. Not only in aviation but in everything else. Knowing someone could get you into USC. Knowing someone can get you into a big law firm. Knowing someone can get you to the playboy mansion. Knowing someone can can make life so much easier. Having connections will not only help in aviation, it will also help in life.
All around us people are getting jobs because of connections. Also, all around us people with out connections are getting hired.
Hell if I knew someone, I could probably get that FedEx job I want, to help pay for school and flight training.
Many people in my highschool got nice jobs because they knew someone, I didn't and got stuck working in Mc'Donnalds (flipping burgers for some pathetic superviser, who is a fricken moron, (I already quit, for personal reasons)).
The point is that knowing somone will make life easier in any profession. Everybody knows that. That's what business cards are for, that's why we act professional towards others, and try and leave a good impression.