First of all good luck Mike, it's not easy.Keep up the ATC stuff, I left as a CWO, enjoyed every minute.
EGGD, I'll beg to differ too. I'm not sure what ops do at your airline but traditionally ops will gain an insight of:
-aircraft operations
-flight plans/flight planning
-aircraft performance
-MEL
-loading
-ETOPS dispatch
-maintenance requirement
-crisis management
-liasing with flight crew/fuellers/outside agencies/slot control
As cabin crew, you'll get the standard bumpf on first aid/security/ making tea. I don't think it's as useful IMHO.
I think Mike is working the angle of 'getting a foot in the door', but i can't imagine as junior cabin crew he'll be having lunch with the Chief Pilot on a daily basis. 'Getting your face known' never worked for anyone I know from a CC point of view.I can name several CC who were wannabe airline pilots who several years down the line have not moved.
Personally I'd concentrate on a job to get as much cash as quick as possible to start training, once through the training I'd consider working for an airline in a supplementary role, because you are ready then.