I'd prefer to carry-on only, but I'm usually already carrying on enough camera gear to outfit the papparazzi, so that comes with me on the plane no matter what. A short trip (like next week to Florida) I can carry-on because I'm not bringing the tripod, and a couple extra underwears and a t-shirt will fit in the camera bag. But the trip after? I'll have to check the big bag with the tripod in it.