I am so impressed that you can take a 26 day trip with just a carry on and an under seat bag. Maybe one day I'll learn to pack well.

One really doesn’t need to take more ‘stuff’ for a 26 (or 36) day trip than for a 7 day jaunt. Just be willing to do laundry a couple of times

Yes, exactly. I am staying in apartments and some of them have a washer/dryer. I have gone on trips before where I packed too much, and it is not fun hauling all of that weight, especially up stairs. and one of my stops is Venice, and we all know what that means.

I have traveled for months at a time (up to ten, and frequently three) with a carry-on size bag and a day bag. I do my washing in the bathroom sink, no need for a washer and dryer or laundromat, but they are certainly options for others.

I usually wait and am normally the last person off the plane. I got tired of dealing with people.
If I checked a bag, it's usually there or I'll join the folks who raced to get off the plane. I have priority tagging, but it is hit and miss.
I WILL hurry in small airports that have only counter service for rental cars. Otherwise, I stroll out and choose my rental car and am off.
I can go for weeks with just a carryon and tote but often check additional luggage - for work or for winter clothing. It all works out. It's just a few minutes in the course of a trip.

With COVID I found that everyone had to wait in one Budget car rental line in Austin. There was no dedicated Fastbreak line. I don't know if things have changed since.

I think I did check a bag since my tripod doesn't fit in my carryon. I remember too long a wait at the counter to drop it. Austin was not nearly as busy as Houston which had a huge line at all the car rental counters when I flew back home.

I think I need to find a way to fit my tripod in a carryon.