I applied for cabin crew many years ago and fell at the first hurdle. Cabin crews main role is the safety and well being of the passenger, in my ignorance I answered the same as your opinion, customer service. I have friends who are cabin crew and as well as being fluent in other languages than...
With a return fare to Miami standby £256.75 I wouldn't call it peanuts. With 41 years service on BA the last time I flew to MIA I was "lucky" enough to get a jump seat. It was either this or rent a car again, find a hotel, don't believe the discount prices the internet is cheaper, pay for food...