Questions about grand company

Hey guys! Please help!

Basically i want to get my mount/companion chocobo.

I understand that you need to join a grand company first. When and how?

I'm at my lvl 19 class quests. I was just ambushed in uldah area...and now about to fight ifrit (assuming duty finder works tonight when i get off work)

How much further into my class quests do i gotta go until i can join a grand company? Or is it unrelated and i just need to go some place else?

Also...what lvl can i use my chocobo in combat?

You're almost there. Basically right after the ifrit fight.

Thanks mate!

With any luck i wont have to spend 3 hours clicking on char select screen over and over again in hopes i get in! I sure wish the qeue system would be turned back on. :(

Also...hope healers qeue. last night we have 6 tanks and a ton of dps. musta been 15 or so...all waiting to run ifrit.