I just booked ticket on travelocity.com for back home trip.

It is the cheapest international flight I ever seen. It $456 including everything from Chicago to Beijing, 2 stops, detroit and tokoyo. BTW the airline is Northwest.

Here is my question.

Since my nearest airport is Detroit, but the price from detroit to beijing is $1000+.

Can I skip the first segment of the flight and get on plane directly in Detroit.

Otherwise I have to drive 4 hours to Chicago and then take the flight back to Detroit and wait for 3 hours for connection. This is really stupid.

Have anyone had any experience before?

why don't ask NW 's CRs ?

They should allow you to do so, since anyway they have nothing to lose and there is no reason to let you take a ride to chicago. or the security check and the luggae may be a issue ? Call them to find out!