6. Should I write/call these companies and ask them to keep a position open for me?

1.
Hermes:"No. I understand that if you are moving in from a foreign country, or another city that you'd wonder if when you arrived, there'd be any companies hiring. Trust me, there will be. It is very difficult for messengers from other cities to understand just how many messengers and messenger companies we have here. We have a lot. Just really. . . a whole bunch. Companies will most probably find it bothersome if you call them, asking if they could keep a position open for you."

2. TONE:
"The only time I would really worry about not being able to get a messenger job is during the summer when some companies actually do have a hiring cap. If you're coming in from another city and already have experience then possibly talk to a messenger in NYC to help direct you as well as recommend you to a place. Most messengers work off of commission, so hiring more people doesn't effect the pockets of the owners. What it does do is thin out the work for the regular dependable better riders from that company and piss them off. That might mean the company might loose a few good riders if they over hire because those riders will just get another job somewhere else. Wanna-be messengers should also be aware of the effects of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Companies have gotten more strict about paperwork since they have to send their employees into so many buildings with hyped up security. "