so far a fp isn't needed. we've gone on it twice in the last two days and he wait has been less than 5 minutes. we have basically just walked right on.
OP, I noticed that you removed your ticker, I would assume because it only showed up as coding. You need to use the code that's labeled PseudoHTML, UBBCode" or BBCode.
Now you just have to put it in your signature. Click on User CP, then under Settings & Options, click on Edit Signature and copy/paste your ticker there.