Hey. In some places.. It is the best, and sometimes only good option.
I don't do it, so I can't comment on that.

I do wanna say that for a while I didn't know the difference between an agency, and a booking agent.
So I was shying away from some of the best girls in town because I thought what was really just an Ad agency.. Was an "Agency".. Know what I mean?

...I'm ok with either one. Whether agency or independent it's reputation that matters. There are good and bad in both. Read reviews, read posts, ask questions, contact guys through PM, ie Do your research. Then choose who you want to see and within your comfort level do what it takes to see them.

You asked "has this changed?" I say no it has not. My point about reputation holds true now and did then as well.

There are even some agencies that have both good and bad providers. Nothing has changed. Things have pretty much always been like that and always will be. Do your research and choose wisely.

I do a bit of both but prefer my favourite agencies all in all....

for the following reasons

the women are younger and hotter as a rule  

there are standards of performance -  if a girl gets bad feedback she usually disappears from
the website pretty quickly....   if something is disappointing a conversation with the booker  
results in more than satisfactory amends being made....

they are actually lower volume than many of the lower end indies

communication and arrangements are better, more timely,  almost zero flake rate

the agencies I deal with are highly secure in terms of screening and operational protocols - much moreso than the typical indie

this largely keeps me out of hotels which avoids a lot of problem

You have to be screened just once