I sort of have a job

Contingent upon my passing the required security screening and peeing in a bottle, I have accepted a contract position as an evaluator for a homeland security training company. The Govt. is now requiring annual re-certification for all TSA screeners, and I will be doing the updates and evaluations. I train in northern VA (Leesburg) from December 5-12, and I will be on the road as much as 5 days/week from January thru at least May and possibly July.

The pay is great, and I'm certainly used to living out of a suitcase. At least the costumes wil be less elaborate on this gig! It's going to be tough, and require some adjustments, but I WILL make this work with Minstrosity. I discussed this issue specifically with them, and since it is technically a part-time position I can get particular days off with a month's notice. With some modification of our rehearsal schedule, I believe this is do-able.

I'm not really looking at this as a long-term career. My unemployment runs out in January, and I was short of rent money this month. Panic is beginning to set in, so I needed to give this serious consideration. This should see me fed and clothed, and let me start making inroads on my debt.

I get a Palm and a laptop as part of the gig, so I can still stay in touch with you all, and I might even get to SEE some of you along the way. So I'm setting my "adventure hat" firmly in place, and crossing all my digits!

Cell-phone advice

I'm going to have to get my own cell phone for this gig, though I get a monthly allowance towards it.

Since I have never had one, I am looking for advice. What kind of phones have you had and hated/loved/etc?

Also, experiences with Sprint and Verizon particularly? They were recommended to me.