What if you has a hull breach at 35K at a location that took out some if not all of the avionics, and you're half way between land masses?
Wouldn't you try to get low into breathable air ASAP? It's not like you would have time to go back and check on the passengers. So now your low (below primary radar) what next? Would you head on to an airport that you have never been to before and might not have the charts, or turn for home and a field you have been to 100's of times? Somewhere you felt you could land blindfolded, since you pretty much are.
I'll bet they tried for home and the familiar airport, distances being equal.
Think I agree with the looking in the wrong place crew.