Someone I've worked with before and whose work quality I respect may get an "auto-hire" from me, but that doesn't necessarily translate to a "auto-hire" from the team that is going to be working with them. I'm fine introducing good candidates I know if into a recruiting process, but not forcing them through just because I know them. In that sense, I want them to be able to demonstrate their abilities in an interview to the rest of the team, as well.