Jim, Pilot is an excellent company to start with. A Mega Catastrophe is an excellent opportunity to get employ. I can truly say if you are a dedicated person to the industry, ethics, honesty and a great deal of knowledge; Then you should do very well.
As Mr. Toll has kindly offered to you, "there is never a guarantee of income in this business. You can make a decent living if you know what your doing and can contact, scope, write the estimate, and report on a timely basis. If this intrigues you, then give it a go. Pilot is good to start with, as they have people who are willing to help you."
I say Very well put!
However you must beware as you may encounter a "PUBLIC ADJUSTER" who will OVER SCOPE, as most Public Adjusters do, Try and pencil whip you as most Public Adjusters do, Over interpret simple HO policies, and cost the Insureds a fee they were SOLD, that they really did not need to pay. But, I can also say, and with all due respect, Pa's have their place in the industry. 
Or you may encounter Multiple Policies, and very likely in the coastal communities Of "Ike" where the Insured has Filed a claim with the Ho carrier, when in Fact the claim should have been filed with TWIA, or NFIP such as we have seen in most all coastal events as Ike is.
These are just a minor few things you will likely encounter Jim. Know your policies, Know your Peril, Practice safe, empathetic, sympathetic & energetic scoping, document your claims to the max, and sell your estimates and scopes to the Carriers and your immediate Independent Firm, such as Pilot ..... let them see it as if they were there themselves.
And oh of course politics, you could be working for a person like a an "UN named poster" to this particular subject, disrespecting other people opinions, and obviously has issues with the "Long Timers on this Site". When in reality he should probably be a little less aggressive, and a little more respectful in his opinions and allot more attentive to the "long timers butchering post's" they have opinions and rights to post as we all do.
I personally know many of the posters on this Site, and We too know as much as Public Adjusters. Thats is simply wonderful in fact. So much wisdom, and excellent and diverse opinions and advice for the new adjusters who come into here for some opinion or advice. All opinions and advice is good as far as i am concerned.
Oh and BTW for Brian, lighten up man, as there are people who are as knowledgeable as 5 adjusters, care as much as, or possibly more than you do about our industry, Have mentored many an adjuster, cared about people and things effecting our industry, donated, helped, advised, practiced ethics, morals, empathy for all, employed new adjusters, Honestly you simply have no Idea.
Just my opinion is all ............ Good luck out there and please be safe
All the Best to you Ladies & Gentlemen. 
"Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us or our loved ones needing someone to reach out and help."
RC ESTES