One Big One or Two Small?

In my last post, I discussed my victory at the Tuesday Morning game. I have to add that at Christmas time, I scored some awesome plastic Chinese takeout-style containers to put the dog biscuits in for the family dogs' holiday gifts. Oh, and an ornament to give someone. Love that place. Anyway, one of the items I bought was a ginormous (that's a combination of "gigantic" and "enormous" for those of you unfamiliar with this technical term) suitcase. I mean, this thing is huge. I bought it in preparation for our trip to Maui, Hawaii. Some would say this was a stupid purchase. My husband bought a similar one back in the summer and has used it a few times and loves his. So I didn't see any potential problems. And I still love it. By the way, it's red. RED red. But there are some possible inconveniences and dangers that come with such a large piece of luggage (along with the toiletries bag, accessories bag, laundry bag, shoe bag, garment bag, and plane ticket/passport holder). First, the cons of such a monstrous suitcase:

1) Even if most of your shoes are flip-flops, you may go over the 50-pound weight limit for free baggage and have to pay $25 to have your bag put on the plane, which is somewhat necessary if you want to use your big bottle of lotion while on your trip since you can't carry lotion in big containers on the plane with you.
2) If #1 is the case, you'll probably have to rely upon airline workers to lift the darn thing onto the scale when you're checking in. But if you smile really big and act grateful (which you should be!), then they'll be happy to help you (I hope).
3) Two words: baggage claim. First, getting the darn thing off the carousel. Second, everyone on your flight knows what a doofus you are for having such a huge suitcase.
4) Toting your luggage to the parking lot. Thank God the Kahului airport isn't too big.
5) Such large suitcase often have quite a few pockets on the outside and inside of the bag. These can be helpful for organization. But you may have trouble finding your panties b/c there are just too many pockets to check.
6) Related to the numerous pockets, nooks, and crannies of the bag -- the TSA worker going through your bag may hold up the entire line of people trying to check in. I think the guy who checked mine was working his first day in a new job. It was ridiculous.

Now, the pros. And yes, there are pros.
1) If you check one enormous bag on the way to your destination, then for the return trip, you can always buy a new bag in which to pack all your souvenirs and gifts. You're allowed two bags for free (plus any overweight charges), so if you packed two bags on the way there (as one older lady told me I should have done), then what do you do with all those shot glasses, t-shirts, and mugs?
2) If someone else has to help you with your humongous bag, then you're providing that person with a great sense of accomplishment as well as empowerment, as he or she is helping someone else. And don't we all love that feeling?
3) With such an enormous bag, you know that bag is yours. And if said large bag is red, then you can laugh at all the black or charcoal bag owners who have to check a million luggage tags to see if the passing suitcase is theirs.
4) You can get in some strength training exercises without even planning to. Baby, my biceps look good.
5) Those various pockets do help a lot. I had one devoted to pj's and undergarments, rather than a corner of the main compartment-- that never works.
6) You can teach people to be patient while waiting for the TSA go through the last 20 pockets of the suitcase. We are all responsible for developing the character of our nation's citizens, are we not?

So what shall I do next time? Pack my big suitcase (but not so full) and bring a relatively empty carry-on bag that I can check later with all those shot glasses, regional food items, and t-shirts. Any other suggestions? Other than buying my own jet, complete with staff?