Pet Policy Form Details

I am reading over the pet policy of a carrier I'm considering driving for and the document they would like me to sign is all well and good aside from this arbitrary line that states the following:

"Driver authorizes ****** to deduct the monthly Fuel Non-compliance Fee (currently $150.00, subject to change) if 90-day MPG average falls below 5.75."

Now, my analytical mind says this would have something to do with the idea that frequent stops for the ole companion causes lower fuel efficiencies but it also feels like a bill being passed in congress where they slip these disassociated clauses that end up costing you for no good reason accept to pad their end of things.

Please! Someone give me some insight on this. I am new to the industry.

Thank you.

The concern is that you will be idling the truck excessively so the A/C can keep your pet comfortable.

Example: A driver who doesn't have a pet in the truck may go into the truck stop for several hours to eat a meal, take a shower, and maybe watch a few CSI re-runs in the driver's lounge. That driver can shut his truck down for the duration of that time period. A driver who is leaving his dog for that same time period would need to leave his truck idling.

I don't think you'd have too much of a problem maintaining a 5.75 mpg average though. I idle my truck a lot in the summer - I've never had my fuel consumption drop below 6 mpg.