OP: I just checked ctrip and found that there is a nonstop flight on offer. While it appears to be one of those full fare only flights, I'd consider dropping $300 on it if I were in your shoes, knowing that I'd likely save 3 hours of my life. Even better than that, I'd burn 20k NW miles in a heartbeat. Please email me if you're interested in the latter option because I have a system in place that works most of the time (which revolves around kow-towing to Charles in the NW BJ office and doing the same at CZ; personal visits aren't required).