Carrying Camera Bag and Tripod on Airplane

I am flying next month to Maine and am bringing a camera and tripod. Is it best to check the tripod in baggage? I don't have a case for it, just a light bag. What are the chances of it getting damaged in cargo? Can I carry both on the plane?

Thanks for any suggestions, I don't fly much.

Jerry

I have flown ofter enough in the last few years, that I always put my tripod inside my carry on bag. If I am forced to check it on some of the smaller planes so be it; my camera bag stays with me or i'm not flying. Never had a bit of trouble about the tripod.
Dave
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davidsdigitalphotography.com

In my case I always put the tripod inside a briefcase and let it go in the cargo area of the airplane. But the camera must stay and travel with me in the front were I can see it. If they don't allow one of my big Temba camera cases (with A700, battery grip, 2 or 3 zoom lenses, and 1 or 2 primes) I don't take that camera with me. And I take one of my small Panasonic cameras (FZ-40 or LX-5). Not because the camera may break or not, but because they usually they "disappear"

I carry a small camera bag and a briefcase-sized bag for general electronics and misc. stuff, so I don't have a way to carry a tripod onto the plane since they started the 2-item limit. I put the tripod in my suitcase, padded by the clothes. I do not recommend doing this with an expensive tripod, though. I save my expensive tripod for road trips only.

Thanks people for your suggestions and experiences..

Jerry