While some areas are lucky and almost fall out-of-interest and/or budget of the "Evil Empire," the ATL is not so lucky.  As such, the "screening process" is almost a welcomed friend to the experienced hobbyist; but, it has many facets, as simple as an ID check or as invovled as 3rd parties (they check YOU out as a credit check would).  My opinion, the hobbyist should define the limits for the screen.  For example, if you want it to be only an ID check, don't see providers who want to call your employer.  It's that simple.

My experiences with 3rd parties are pretty good.  When you consider the confort-level providers can achieve, it becomes very advantageous to have a stragey for how familiar you're going to let the "screen" become!

Joey