[carpeperdiem]

Have you used webmaster mode?

I'm in 4.1, so this will be different for you -- but in webmaster mode, it is quite obvious that the customer notes section (in 4.1) is in the file:

/skin1/modules/Fast_Lane_Checkout/checkout_3_place.tpl

search for:

{include file="customer/main/checkout_notes.tpl"}

and comment it out.

If you are not best friends with webmaster mode, do so, now. It will answer most of your "where is...?" questions.

Good luck.

jeremy