Sometimes it's unavoidable. Most of my trips are 4-5 days so yeah, I do a carry-on, but if I'm going to a site for two+ weeks I'm checking the big bag. I know some people like to brag that they traveled across Asia with only a carry-on for a year... that is not me and I don't want to waste time on a paid-for weekend doing laundry.

Anyway I don't buy that "it will be three hours" nonsense. It take no longer to unload a canceled plane as one that just parked.