I always check baggage. Where I'm traveling, there's usually:

>a parachute competition, or
>scuba trip, or
>a class to teach

all of which require a hideous amount of stuff. I just check it.

All I carry-on in my rolling tote are the "essentials"...you know, a book, laptop, Bose headset, slippers & eyeshades, contact lens stuff.

Overnight international, I add a garment bag with a single change of clothes, just in case of wine-into-lap.

I'll agree that it is great to zorch through the airport without recovering bags, but this seems to fit the "5 days" profile, and I'm always out there at 10 days +.

All the best, James