So, I used to be a solid hobbyist back in the day. I had a packet of reviews I'd posted on TER, saw probably 20 providers a year, and knew the ropes.  

Now that I'm dabbling my feet back in the pool after a 10 year plus break, I'm seeing a few things.

One is good (for me, at least), in that rates seem very close to or even lower than they were years ago. (I know this sucks for providers. Sorry.)

The other is more complex. A lot of the highly reviewed talent, especially from agencies in the Midwestern cities I'm traveling to, requires screening, which I totally get. But it's a catch 22 in that I can't even get a P411 membership without referrals from women I can't see without referrals.  

Anyone have a way past this?

I’m in exact same boat.  Have contacted a few providers last few days offering to meet their alternative screening procedures, all have gone unanswered.  Complete crickets. If every provider and P411 actually or effectively require references from (usually two) recent providers, how do Newbies enter, or old members re-enter, the club???

I went through this journey last year.

I saw a couple local girls who advertised themselves as "newbie friendly". Not amazing experiences, but the girls were willing to refer. I parlayed those encounters into time with providers who were on P411. Took a little while, but after a couple of those, I got verified at P411.

I've seen a lot of negativity about P411 from providers on Twitter, but it's been a good service for me so far. I plan to renew when my first 6 months are up in March.

Your experience is certainly not mine re: rates. In the NorthEast and Left coast at least, rates that were $300-$400 ten years ago, are now $600-$1000 and even higher for Indy's, with agency rates being approx being 50-60% of that.  

 
In fact, much to many ppl's surprise, rates went up after Sesta-Fosta, and not down as predicted by many, including yours truly. I am not saying you are wrong, as I am not familiar with rates in the Midwest, but if there was a price deflation, yes, good for you. lol

 
As to your main point, p411 can be a Catch-22 and many girls now are asking for more than just p411, but again, that is a regional thing. As Pandarus stated, p411 is no longer gospel among many on twitter as some want RW info on top of the P411 info.

 
The way past it is to opt to go the RW, personal info option, that many girls offer. Some combination of your real name, real city, employment verification, cell phone, Linkedin, etc.  

 
This is NOT something I necessarily recommend, mind you, but you have to evaluate the risk in doing so vs the benefit of "getting back in the game" so to speak. Giving your personal info to total strangers greatly increases your risk but, since you have been gone for so long, you have to start somewhere and total risk avoidance is almost impossible.

 
Another option some girls may offer is a paid lunch or coffee, where they meet you in a public place of the girls choosing, check your ID, get to know you a bit, etc but I find this has become a much lesser used option in recent years but it cant hurt to ask.  

 
Usually, a "date" like this is platonic, but the girl would normally want something for her time but often less than her stated website rate, but that varies greatly from girl to girl.

 
Good luck and welcome back!