with all these flip stories, I wonder:

Are agencies less likely to be busted? and hopfully less likely to be flipped???

Many believe that agencies are actually more of a risk since they don't always screen very well.  Choosing an agency, for me, is no different than choosing an indie. Look for consistently good reviews for the ladies who work for that agency.

and they keep records too.

That's why I stay with indies usually.

can we assume the agencies that are being here for a long time safer?

my conspiracy theory is that, which I really hope is true, that they have developed certain "instinct" to aviode being busted. there are millions ways to develop this "instict" and that is not our business to speculate.

And since they have build good brands already, they are less likely to flip even something goes wrong.

As we learned here in Phoenix a year or so ago, an agency is certainly no safer than an indie - and they do flip and talk when they find their own ass in a ringer.

You cannot reasonably assume that... just look at the agency busts that have been all over the country and in every case somebody flips, reveals client records, or makes deals when they face serious charges.... Be reasonable here... if you were faced with jail time, would you not look out for yourself and be willing to make a deal?  It's human nature and your pretty naive if you think this isn't going to happen.  Just my 02.