There are three problems with escorts since the latest update:
1) when a pre-existing group takes an escort, the group becomes locked and no more invites can be given (even after the escort has ended).
2) when a pre-existing group takes an escort, VC is turned off.
3) when an pre-existing group takes an escort and the escort mission ends, the leader of the group changes.

These all happened around 6:30-7pmEST with Baylen and spidey.

What do you mean VC is turned off? You can talk together, and then when the mission starts, you can't anymore?

I'll also see about unlocking the group at the end of the mission, and keeping the leader the same (if they're still around).

If you are not in a group and you start an escort, VC initialization fails. If you are in a group and you start an escort, VC stops working and you can't talk together anymore. Thanks for looking into it!

logs (someone started an escort after we already had all these people in the group):

[Wed Apr 15 13:06:37 2009] *** A group has been created.
[Wed Apr 15 13:06:37 2009] *** You invited Trader to your group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:06:46 2009] *** Trader is now a member of the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:06:50 2009] Connecting Voice Chat.
[Wed Apr 15 13:06:50 2009] Voice Chat Connected.
Voice Chat Connected.
voicechat event queue is full!
voicechat event queue is full!
voicechat event queue is full!
voicechat event queue is full!
voicechat event queue is full!
...
[Wed Apr 15 13:08:38 2009] *** You invited Trader2 to your group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:08:53 2009] *** Trader2 is now a member of the group.
...
[Wed Apr 15 13:16:21 2009] *** You invited Fighter to your group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:16:34 2009] *** Fighter is now a member of the group.
...
[Wed Apr 15 13:20:10 2009] *** You invited King to your group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:20:22 2009] *** King is now a member of the group.
...
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] We're heading out now. Your course has been set for Azek D-11
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** Trader2 has left the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** King has left the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** Atice has left the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** You are now a member of the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** Trader is now a member of the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** Fighter is now a member of the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] Connecting Voice Chat.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] Voice Chat Connection Failed: already subscribed
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] Connecting Voice Chat.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] Voice Chat Connection Failed: already subscribed
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] *** *Pames Vitra is now a member of the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:26:55 2009] Voice Chat Disconnected.
...
[Wed Apr 15 13:30:19 2009] *** *Pames Vitra has left the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:30:32 2009] *** *Moz Deto has left the group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:30:32 2009] *** *Moz Deto's group is now Trader2's group.
[Wed Apr 15 13:30:32 2009] Well, here we are!
[Wed Apr 15 13:30:32 2009] You were with us 0% of the route. Your reward has been adjusted accordingly.

The group was mine to start.
EDIT1: also worth noting it was Fighter who took the mission, and he was still in the group when it ended.
EDIT2: Showed the logs starting the group with VC connecting.

hey look its my name!

now your name is there more! yay!
if you want me to censor the names... I'll do so.

i think my name should be changed to king... lol having this bug fixed would be nice :)

done! and agreed.
Everyone else got less creative nicknames :p.

I wonder why King did not re-become a member of the group in the dialog... while he was still in the group the whole damned time.

lol u actually bothered? :P

I am an expert procrastinator.

Still having an issue that group escorts end the mission with a different person as group leader. Haven't re-tested the other issues.

Chat was borked today...