Tiram,
I know of many pilots who were cabin crew in a previous life, and that's just in one company. I'm sure you'll find lots of them out there. I have been c/c for 18 months know and my ambition is to fly too.
If you are determined and a hard worker, there is no reason why flying as cabin crew first would harm any chance of flying with an airline as a pilot later on. If you get to know the right people who know's what could happen?
I find working as c/c great fun, and is only 2nd best to flying 'the other side of the locked door'! You will have the chance meet and make friends with loads of pilots who are the best people (naturally) to give you advice. You will also have many chances to sit on the jumpseat which helps a great deal with understanding the a/c, procedures, etc. and what a pilot's day's work is really like.
Working as c/c, for me, has been invaluable.
If you go for it I wish you the best of luck.
Tri
