I am not sure how much stick time you really need to get your wings in all this, but I wanted to share some of my experiences to perhaps help some other FNGs.  Also, I wanted to write this up before I became bankrupt.

1) Read and follow the advice found in the Newbie board.  Most it is very good and succinct.  You will quickly discover who the experienced guys are (thank you guys) and it will immediately become quite evident that they know what the hell they are doing.
2) Really part of (1).  Do your effin homework, both on the process and on the providers you are contemplating.  Dont just wade in and start making phone calls and sending emails.  Study first.  They didnt put new guys in Spitfires right out of the box for good reason.  Theyll crash.
3) Solicit at first only well and highly reviewed, experienced providers.  Dont even think of experimenting with a one off until you can fly the Spitfire.  The good, experienced providers are a lot more fun anyway and they know how to handle an FNG.
4) Always buy gifts, no matter how small.  Always.  If you cant afford it, then you shouldnt be doing this.  Use wrapping paper.  Make it at least appear like you gave it some forethought.  Read her site and see what she likes  part of (1)
5) Be polite and gentlemanly.  Smile, be friendly.  This is supposed to be fun, so make it so for both sides.  Take the high road if things go slightly astray.  If you are polite and gentlemanly with a highly rated provider however, they generally will not.
6) Take a friggin shower  always and it should the first thing you do.  Bring your own towel, soap, toothbrush.  Yeah, and the friggin toothpaste too. You will never realize how much this is appreciated by the other side.  Im a chicken, so the towel is great to hide behind.
7) Part of (6), audit your hygiene  your fingernails, hair, everything.  If you have a late appointment, shave.  Yes, again.  Look in the mirror and say would YOU want to kiss this?  No matter what I do, the answer is most often an unfortunate no.
8) The review process.  I am not a date check member, a secret agent, nor do I have Federal security clearance or some other magic wand and yet I have been very successful in getting appointments.  I use the email.  Be honest, forthright and do not withhold information if the person asks.  Send an email with a photo, address etc and general information about yourself.  Nothing will happen with it if you stick with the experienced people.  Be nice, but also be persistent!  If you really want to see a particular person, dont give up.
9) Be serious about wanting to see the provider  generally they will want an idea of a specific timeframe.  You therefore have to be committed to jump, and sometimes, right away.  Dont eff it up.
10) When you get there, just be yourself  its OK.  If youre an FNG, tell her so.  Shell know what to do.  Smile.  Make a joke about it.  Shell be laughing in few minutes anyway, so preempt her.  Make it fun for her and it will be fun for you.
11) Compliment the person on something - and not like nice tits! or whatever.  This is a person in front of you that is there for you so treat her as such.  Shoes, hair or eyes is a safe place to go.  Me?  I like shoes.  Save nice tits! for your wife, if that is the case, of course.  
12)    I have seen a particular person twice and it really was better the second time.  At least for me, anyway.  So being the scrounging hound dog looking for the next unsuspecting rabbit isnt always the best thing to do.
13) Become a VIP member.  Do it for a quarter, at least at first.  It will save you ten times the fifty bucks.

Hope this rambling message helps, guys.  Have fun..