Maybe you could try what your friend suggested... OH - and wear a tight little red dress and some stilettos.... that'll get you some attention.
Kidding.
Never rule out any avenue or any opportuntiy to NETWORK.
No one is telling you to go get falling-down hammered while carrying around "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge".
Just go hang out, strike up conversations. You never know where they may lead.
My wife and I were on a cruise and happened to meet a DAL pilot (who, BTW, knows Doug) in the Martini Bar on ship. We ended up hanging out with him and his wife and friends quite a bit.
Now... will that land me a job with DAL? Doubtful. Highly doubtful. But, pilots know pilots who know pilots who know pilots.
Always always always network network network.
Best of luck!!
R2F