I think you have hit the nail on the head with regard to the customer/passenger. Many on these threads have dismissed the CC role as an overpaid trolly dolly role that anyone working at Tesco's could do. But what about their 'worth'.
There are two sides to that coin. Many on other forums (than PPrune) have paid scant regard to how their actions on and off the aircraft affect passengers, which affects future bookings, and thus their livelihood.