Youre asking the wrong crowd. 90%+ people here fly mainly for work, and their arrangements are done with that purpose in mind.

I havent had a reason to use a TA for leisure travel since the last time I used my Encarta CD encyclopedia..... They are pretty much useless in the age of the internet. I've never met one that has been able to do better than I can do myself, or with others' advice. Especially when you add commission into the mix, the TA may not always have your best interest in mind.

Yes you are wrong about the broom closet. Not only can you find better deals money wise yourself, but also better deals quality wise.

Give it 10 years, and travel agents will become obsolete, apart from special niche markets.