Joe Brancatelli created The Tactical Traveler in 1998 for the now-defunct Biztravel.com. The column was conceived as a series of items that would make frequent business travelers more productive on the road. There was also a heaping helping of Joe's trademark cynicism about the travel industry and its practices. After the 9/11 terrorism attacks, however, Joe recreated Tactical Traveler as the news and analysis column for JoeSentMe. There's still plenty of skepticism, of course, because life on the road makes us a wary lot.

SEPTEMBER 17 BRIEFING FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
The briefing in brief: Delta makes SkyMiles "simpler"--by screwing all elite members and cardholders. It was hard to notice this awful summer, but significant airport upgrades opened. Aer Lingus adds Denver flights and revives Minneapolis service. Delta will fly from Honolulu to Tokyo/Haneda. Red Way, an airline start-up out of Nebraska, throws in the towel after just three months of flying. American is fined $4 million for violating DOT tarmac rules--and celebrates by holding a New York flight for five hours on the tarmac. And much more.

AUGUST 6 BRIEFING FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
The briefing in brief: American Airlines looks like toast in Chicago, Boston and New York City. Hyatt, Marriott and InterContinental steal smaller hotel chains from each other. El Al will start service from Fort Lauderdale. Air Canada will fly to Singapore. United adds routes to Manila and Christchurch, New Zealand. Delta finally opens a second club at JFK. And much more.

APRIL 15 BRIEFING FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
The briefing in brief: Airlines and hotels don't need to offer travel deals now. JAL's new discount carrier offers $2,000 roundtrip business class fares between Japan and United States. Britain is lifting three-ounce liquid rule for carry-on bags. Air Canada will fly nonstop from Vancouver to Dubai. Breeze Airways finds no market for transcontinental nonstops from suburban New York airport. JetBlue will fly to Amsterdam. United trimming "shuttle" routes to Washington/Dulles. And more.

MARCH 23 BRIEFING FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
The briefing in brief: You wanted a pre-Covid travel world? Europe's skies are back to normal with strikes paralyzing transportation. Biden's nominee for FAA Administrator withdraws after the Senate cancels a vote on his nomination. How's Delta's free, in-flight WiFi going? Kansas City opens a single-terminal to replace its once-grandiose three-terminal operation. Cleveland will impose a new daily fee on airport car rentals. The government's case against the JetBlue-Spirit merger won't begin until October. Norse Atlantic adds new flights to London. And more.