I just recently started as well. I first tried the Frank method and it can be difficult to get it right. I have only managed to do it properly couple of times, the rest of the time I ended up re-lighting way too much.
The method I use is to fill the bowl to the top without any packing or pressing. I fill it slightly above the top of the bowl.(1/8th of an inch?) I then pack it half way down. I refill again, slightly above and pack it a 1/4 way down(Or half of what was left after the first pack). My final fill I do the same, fll to just slightly above, but pack it so it is just slightly below the rim.
Do the char light, pack it back down, and the the final light. Using this method I rarely have to relight. One other thing I have noticed that helps keep a pipe lit concerns tamping. If I draw at the same time I tamp, it helps keep the tobacco lit. I noticed quite often that when I tamped during a smoke that it could cause the tobacco to start to go out. If I draw and tamp and the same time, it prevents this.
I do not recall where I heard this method of loading a pipe, but so far it has not failed to give me a nice bowl with very few, if any re-lights. If I have to re-light it is usually at the bottom of the bowl. One thing I did steal from the Frank method video was his method of lighting using a torch lighter. It works very well, and there is no charring of the rim if done correctly.
I do not know if this works for all tobaccos, obviously un-rubbed flakes/plugs require a different method of packing, but I haven't gotten that far yet.
~S