The FAA has released the cockpit transcripts of Northwest flight 188 and is available for download . When queried about the situation and reason for the lack to communications the crew were evasive.  When ATC asked, "Northwest 188, do you have time to give a brief explanation of what happened?" the crew responded, "... cockpit distractions, that's all I can say."

Trying to determine the reason for the deviation air traffic controllers once again attempted to get an explanation for the over flight of the destination.  The crew responded "We're just dealing with some company issues here, and that's all I can tell you right now at this time."

The ensuing investigation discovered the crew had been using their laptops trying to understand work schedule software and missed the destination by 150 miles.