Escort's IMO are hit, and miss. There is a merc faction out there that will hire on for 3mil, and i have hired a time or 2. They know what they are doing,and give trader's advice as they go. Problem is there is also the "noob" escort's that want cash,but just do not know how to escort. Now a GB does make a good escort,"IF" outfitted to do so. IE 2 missile's,and the rest sol turret's. Just rapid fire the missile's non stop at a fighter/bomber, and let him try to harrass the trader."BOOM!" no more little fighter.