OK, so I have an interesting one for you all. So here goes...

I have four snakes. A super chill ball python who bit me once when she was younger because I stuck my hand in her hide (totally my fault). I have two baby corn snakes that while feisty little things, have never made a strike or bite outside of feeding. And I have Fluffy the reticulated python. Fluffy seems to live up to the stereotype of a typical young retic. She has bitten me once early on, which didn't hurt but scared the poo out of me. Since then, she strikes at me every time I open her tub. She used to strike the inside of the tub when I'd walk by, but that seems to have stopped, or at least hardly ever happens anymore.
While I've read a ton about young retics being "defensive" or "aggressive" (which refuse to believe any snake is aggressive, simply some more defensive than others), I've also read that regularly working with them while they are young can have a positive pay off as they mature. I am bound and determined that I am going to work with this little lady and together her and I are going to work towards a positive experience as we live together for the next 30 years.

I've had Fluffy for about two months now. The following is my "plan of approach" which is subject to change as I continue to learn and heed advice I'm given.
I work 24 hour shifts every third day, so she gets a complete break from me every third day. The two days I am home, I get her out and handle her 1 to 2 times a day for about 10 minutes, except for Saturday and Sunday, which are the 48 hours after she eats. Feeding day is Friday as I am always off on Fridays. I feed her in her tub so I don't have to handle her after feeding. She always eats like a champ without fail. When I open her tub for handling time, I gently touch her head with a small hook. Then I remove her with the hook and support from my other hand. Again, without fail, she strikes, mouth open, and attempts to bite every time. Initially while I hold her, she will stretch away from me, then finally will wrap around my hand and stare at me for a while. After a bit, her "grip" loosens and she will start to look around. I feel like she is calming down because her pupils become less dilated and her breathing slows. Then, when time to go back into the tub, she'll move off my hand and usually turn around for another strike/bite attempt. Full disclosure, I wear thick and soft leather work gloves and long sleeves. This has saved me from direct skin bites multiple times as she has bitten the glove and my sleeve more than once.
I'm trying really hard to breathe, deep breaths prior to handling, remembering that she can sense my nervousness, and trying to convey a since of gentle confidence when dealing with her.

Here are my thoughts and questions... I would really appreciate input from those of you that have experience with retics as well as anyone with thoughts or suggestions.
First question is, for those of you who have dealt with "active" snakes that "happy to donate their bites to the cause", how long did it take for them to "feel less of a need to provide their bites"? Is there an expected age, like, after working with my snake for a month, a few months, a year, etc?
Second, and the title of this post... Should I take a bite, or two, or few? And my thought behind this is, I've been bitten. It wasn't so bad. It was truly the shock, and the gnarly look of the snake as it goes in for a strike. So, for me, would it be helpful to take a few bites on purpose, to physiologically break my nervousness? And for the snake, if she is able to provide a few bites, and it does cause a reaction from me of backing away, cowering, or leaving her alone, might she learn that it does no good to bite me, as it doesn't cause her desired effect.
And here is the curve ball I'm having, the issue that I want to handle correctly in order to have a positive outcome for both the snake and myself. I had a friend over last night that also works with snakes. He asked if her could handle Fluffy. I said sure, but warned him that she always strikes, she always bites., and that I am still working with her to move past this phase. He says "let me see how she does with me". He calmly and confidently took Fluffy from me, and of course, she was a perfect little angel. She crawled on him. She let him touch her head, her neck, and pet her body. I was astonished. This to me is proof of one of two things. Either it is completely and 100% the confidence and calmness of the handler. Or, she's seen me scared, and retics are suppose to have excellent memories, and she remembers that she has and can intimidate me. She's seen me react to a bite. and now she knows how to "handle me".

So thats it, thats my situation as it stands. I refuse to give up, have no desire to give up, and I am going to do whatever it takes to create a good, respectable relationship between Fluffy and myself.
Again, any and all advice, suggestions, comments, concerns, and thoughts will be appreciated and taken into consideration. You all have been amazing help to me so far and I am grateful and looking forward to more.

Have a great day!

-C. Allen