>>I loved being an independent consultant, but the older I got the more tiring the constant travel became. If I were young and single again contracting would be the only way I'd fly (and not through any headhunters)!
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>I still use various agencies, but have increasingly started taking on other projects the past couple years. The difference in fee is amazing though; almost twice as much per hour on my own compared to what's left after the agency takes out it's margin. I found out two years ago through a very informative client that what that margin was and that was when I started taking the independent stuff on. I can charge less than the agency, but significantly more than what I would make through them. Everyone's happy! Well, ok, exept the agency... :)

That's exactly what I found, too. I thought I'd try an agency, to avoid the networking, etc.., but once was enough. To show you how long ago this was, the agency was paying me $35/hr and charging the client, as I found out part way through the contract period, more than $65/hr ... the the client wouldn't say how much more. I would have done the same job for him for $50-65/hr.

One of the clauses in the agency contract sitpulated that if I left the agency I couldn't work for an agency client for at least one year.