Consider Priceline. You should be able to limit the number of connections you make, and if you're saving enough money, who cares if you wait 4 hours to connect? Heck, a lot of regular itineraries do that. Since PL and Hotwire only book regular itineraries, you wouldn't get any itinerary that you couldn't find some other way. So I'd make a Priceline bid that was less than what I found on Hotwire.
Also, check Onetravel.com. I just looked for 4/9-16 for you and found a $577 on Delta and Air France.
[This message has been edited by hotturnip (edited Mar 01, 2004).]