I worked the ramp in SLC for Delta several years ago, and just got hired this past spring as a pilot. In my experience, having worked the ramp didn't really help me get the interview, but the HR group in the interview loved the fact that I had worked for Delta in the past. It wasn't very hard to convince them that Delta was the only Airline I wanted to work for.
If I get furloughed tomorrow, I'm glad I'm here today. Bold statement, I know.