If you got some common/business sense, you know how to screen, schedule, handle calls & e-mail then being an "Indi" usually is the way most ladies prefer to go. If you prefer all the pesky stuff handled by others and merely want to be told where to go and at what time, then splitting your take; by all means get with an agency.
BTW - ALL agencies are "upscale". Didn't you know that? (Wink)

If you learn fast you can work for it for a little as six months to one year and pick up all you need to work as an independent. You should start by buying a VIP membership on this site, it is something like $20 per month, $50 for three months. Once you have the VIP membership spend time sorting through reviews with New York as the city and Agency as the other sorting factor. Look for ladies that work Manhattan. Look or a common agency or agencies among the ladies. Once you have found some agencies look for howwell their ladies are rated for looks and performance, especially performance. As a rule any agency that has 80% or more of it's ladies scoring well, 8 and above, on performance reviews is one that you want to talk to about working with. The simple rationale for the last observation is that ladies that are feeling good enough to give a clear headed good time are likely happy about working for the agency. Examine reviews for indications that ladies show up for appointments while on drugs. I would hope that the last thing you want to be is a spaced out zombie that is selling herself for the next fix.
Lastly. If you have good looks, keep yourself healthy and in shape and always make appointments on time and with a positive attitude, you should make good money. Put the money to good use and wisely invest for your future benefit. Unless you like working mainly for the companionship, do not set your employment horizons beyond 5 to 6 years from now.