exactly. I can't book in GDS without a credit card number... and I have no idea what a 1099 contractor is either. If you are willing to put your name, date of birth and credit card into expedia or United.com to issue an airline ticket I don't think the safeguards there are any better or worse than what used to store info in a GDS system or with a top tier agency like the one DavidO works with for example.
The big blow up thread attracted a lot of attention within the world of travel agents and seems to have brought a lot of new faces to the board. Opportunity knocks perhaps?
Maybe the old fashioned local agent is best for someone who is really worried about this sorta things. I'm sure there is a Virtuoso agent in almost everyone's home town. From a trustworthy point of view, both DavidO and myself have been nominated for awards in Virtuoso. I think that speaks volumes.
I think 1099 contractor just means someone who is not an employee of the agency. Hence they receive a form 1099 in the US.
I think the moral of the story is to just find a reputable agent. Referrals are key. I've referred mine to several people and I'm sure others do the same.