I know you love Q2M Pho, and I'm aware of the fact that sticking with what you know usually saves time (on the short run, in any case). I have seen abhorrent ways of unwrapping, back in the Max 3 R2 days, and the first thing I said when I heard about them is 'Is there no better way? Really?'. And, ofcourse, there was ;]
I do realize Q2M will have changed a bit since I last used it, but I have used it quite a bit back in the Q2 days. I can safely say that in comparing it with Max for ease and control in unwrapping, Max wins head on. I think this came up a while back, when we were discussing some flipped triangles that were hard to detect until the skinning phase.. I think it was around then that I wrote the tutorial that I am now reminded off again. So here goes, for those of you wanting to know why I am (for some odd reason) one of the few on this planet that doesn't dislike or have much difficulty with unwrapping..
http://www.planetquake.com/tabun/unwrapmax---
And on Lilazz's map: Looking nice so far!
In regards to Tekhead's points: perhaps even a 'gravity' trap? ;]