I received a postcard from Time Warner Cable today informing me that as
of November 1, I can either pay $3.95 per month to lease my modem from
them or I can purchase my own.

I started a chat session with TWC to ask some questions about how
troubleshooting would be handled if I purchased my own equipment.

Here's a excerpt from that chat session. Something tells me Jean hit the
wrong key before transferring the session.

*** Begin Chat Excerpt ***

Jean: It seems that this issue needs to be escalated to National Road
Runner Chat support. We will transfer you to that support group. Do you
have any further questions before I transfer you?

Me: No, thanks.

Jean: Trouble call charges are determined on site by the technician
depending on the circumstances surrounding the work to be done. If the
issue is our lines or equipment, no charge will be assessed.

Use the above statement only if a customer asks about the charge, do not
provide the statement proactively.

Jean: Please be online while I transfer your chat to the right department.

*** End Chat Excerpt ***

I do hope Jean doesn't get into any trouble. ;-)