Published by Tom Thinnes on Thu, Feb 28, 2013
Wade was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1985 and attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina learning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Wade knew he wanted to be in aviation when his dad took him to the airport in Charlotte to see Hank Aaron to hopefully get his autograph. Hank was a no show, but there was a Boeing 727 that absolutely captivated him.
In 2001 Wade was elected as a Delta Scholar and began his flight training. His favorite memories of flying at Western Michigan University are the life-long friends that he made and the solo cross-country through the Michigan snow. He still gets nostalgic flying over Battle Creek, Michigan.
After receiving his rating in 2003, he moved back to Charlotte, where he earned his flight instructor rating, fueled airplanes, and threw bags for US Airways while building his flight time. Wade did some charter dispatch and his first flying job was with MESH Airlines.
He currently lives in Charlotte flying as a First Officer for Delta on the Boeing 757 and 767 out of New York.