Also Toolbag has less compression and optimization done by default, here's one example, http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2096054&postcount=124
i should add that's the time estimate on a 12k average complex character... heroes and boss monsters and more complex characters get more time of course...
Bottom-left is the UV layout for bits that will have transparency (the flipper, tail and feet), and bottom-right is the body, "leg" (stumpy as it is) and head. Both 128's.