re: Easiest way to keep A/C drip pan from filling up?

That's your overflow pan, which should stay dry unless there is a problem. Clearing the drain pipe for it is only treating one of the symptoms. Take off the panel at the evaporator coils and check to see if it's dirty. The condensation is suppose to run down the fins to the primary pan that is inside of the unit. If dirty the water will just drop down instead of running down the coils to the primary. If the coils are clean you have a drain issue from the primary. If you don't feel comfortable checking all of that stuff out get in touch with BigEdLSU. I know he's been pretty busy so if you need his number email me at tdfunkjunky @ gmail.com