Photography Tips and Tricks - 6 (Disaster Averted)

TLDR; Do not store your quick-release pad on your tripod.

Quick and not so obvious tip here for tripod use.  I have thought of this before, but today it was reinforced.   I typically do NOT leave the quick-release pad on my tripod.  I am afraid it will fall off while attached to my backpack and be lost on some trail or path I was on. today, I went on a shoot and put my L-bracket on my camera and did not need my quick-release pad (but it was on my tripod).  The photoshoot went ok ( the weather was not cooperative ).  However, when I returned home and began unloading my truck my quick-release pad was sitting on my front seat.  It had fallen off but was right where I could see it.  Minor catastrophe abated.