Huge tip for doing passenger missions: read the person's file CAREFULLY every time. I made the mistake of thinking that a Rich Tourest couldn't be wanted in certain systems. 9/10 times they're wanted in the destination system. Hence the fact of my week-long bounty in a certain stupid system and my being one keelback lighter in the pockets. Stupid cops. They don't even give you the OPTION to dump the passenger. It's just "oh you're wanted now" and FOG KBAM! One less keelback and a 7 day bounty in that system.
Oh and ALWAYS have a fuel scoop. A good one. Not only do you not want to get stranded and have to bother the incredibly fine folks at FuelRats, but you also don't want to spend 10-15 minutes scooping fuel because you have a 16 ton core fuel tank and a 16 ton optional reserve that are both empty.
Okay fine it was an 8 ton reserve. But it still took 10 minutes to fill with my rubbish 1E fuel scoop! I've since gotten an A class scoop. Yay. Hopefully. Haven't tested it yet, but the store said an 800% improvement in scoop rate. You get what you pay for.
Also invest in hull reinforcement. Biggest one you can buy. Really pays off when you're hauling people and get interdicted. Not that my shields went down. Puny cobra was no match for four pulse turrets. Took forever but I got 23,000CR in bounties
in addition to the 300,000 in passenger mission. Side note: always have a KWS. Scan first then light 'em up. If you're a sitting duck then screw it and bail. Boost out and FSD out asap.
Speaking of which, don't bother with the ones that say "show me the universe" until you get a bigger ship than a keelback. Not worth the time. Just deliver folks and data missions if they're going to somewhere nearby or on the way. Also don't be afraid to tell them NO when the Rich CEO wants you to stop and get them food or something when you replaced your cargo bay with a fuel scoop. They should've packed a lunch. I don't think I look like a Taco Bell with feet. Freakin' whatever, rich guy. I've got 2,000CR in the bank and can't afford to buy fuel, let alone your iPad or dumplings or whatever kind of disgusting gruel rich people eat.
(Yes I'm very salty about that. After FOUR times of telling him no, you would be too.)
NSYNC is the only way to combat space madness. And cheese. Never forget the cheese. Or the root beer. -SG, 2017.