I am trying to decide if it's ok to pack my tripod or not? I already have in the back pack I take on the plane with me, my laptop, camera lens and two books (need a spare book I have a thing about being stuck on a plane with no book to read). My tripod would make the whole thing VERY cumbersome and heavy but...... I am worried about my tripod being in my luggage. I have thought about surrounding it with clothes so it would be well padded.

Thoughts anyone??? What do you do??

PS It's a long flight with a change of planes.