This is great advice. When you go to pick up a snake, do it in a smooth, fluid motion. Don't hesitate or jerk your hands. Snakes are pure muscle, and are used to crawling over tree branches and stuff, so don't worry too much about only using one hand to pick them up at first; the pressure won't hurt the snake.
After that, just behave like it's environment, let it explore your hands/arms/wherever else it wants to crawl. If it starts going up your shirt or something, gently lift it away.
A good thing to do before getting a snake for the first time, since it sounds like you haven't handled one, is to go to a pet store or zoo that will show you how to hold one. Lots of science centers with snakes will do this, and the pet store owner probably will too.
Also, for transporting a snake, something I have found to work well is an old pillowcase. If you use one that you have slept on, and transport the snake in it, it can associate your scent and calm down. Pillowcases are great because they are breathable, flexible, and strong enough to hold a snake. Just tie a knot in the top so it can't get out, and you have a quick snake bag.
