In 2012, there were 4,300 registered getaway car drivers in the United States. Today there are more than 125,000, due to the availability of more desirable getaway options.
“In the past people wouldn’t apply for the positions because they involved fleeing crime scenes and getting shot at,” says Patricia Manick, chief recruiter for Duluth’s Putnam/Port job placement agency. “There are much safer opportunities now.”
These include driving tax accountants fleeing onsite audits, office workers who want to escape team-building exercises, sous chefs, and many more.
“Today’s getaway car driver is married, plays golf, and goes to Boy Scout meetings,” says Minick. And unlike 20 years ago, when finding candidates was such a challenge, today there are three applicants for every opening.
“Before I got into the getaway field I was in the pet food business and the pressure was unbelievable,” says Tom Williston of Denver. “Your average dog and cat has gotten far more particular and that takes its toll.”
He quit in 2020 to drive cars that help people get away from term-life insurance salespeople. “I haven’t missed a kids ballgame in two years,” he says “My blood pressure has gone down ten points, and I’m thinking of taking mandolin lessons.”
Manick says that over 16,000 positions have opened in the past two years.
“We expect that number to double in the next two,” she says, “as people start talking to each other about the 2024 elections.”
