Interesting thread. I really don't see the point in using a TA these days. There are a myriad of online booking sources available that make things easy, just take a little time. I now do all my travel way putting together complex itineraries that includes flights, surface travel and accommodation. Have put together an itinerary of 9 weeks from NZ through Europe, then to Asia before home. The only rule I really apply in flights is to stay in * A for multi-city and allow at least 3 hours between split PNR bookings.