I know someone a guy who worked cabin crew for a couple of years and had an absolute ball. Packed it in to embark on a modular course but was given a sponsorship with the company he crewed for (though he did have to work hard for it).
From what I've heard, you can have a great time working as cabin crew, build up some multi-crew co-op experience, learn about the industry, AND make those vital contacts. I think it would also be useful for most pilots to experience what the REST of the crew have to put up with during a flight while they're sitting up front!!
I'm not sure what the employment situation is; I heard they were affected very badly by the recent recession, though things are STARTING to pick up again. A couple of years would probably have done me some good before embarking on pilot training, bit too old now though : (