Plenty of comment about the JPC and its perceived silence on the matter. Let me explain a little.
Publically, yes they are silent. Why? Unlike AIPA or the AFAP, the JPC is an un-resgistered, un-insured body of volunteer pilots. Its existence, although guaranteed in the EBA, is almost entirely at the whim of management in that it relies on the company for the allocation of days off to meet and the provision of flights to a central location for members outside of Melbourne. Further, each of the JPC flies a full roster every month.
Therefore, by publically speaking out against the airline, not only do the JPC face the same fate as Joe Eakins, they also face the very real prospect of being allocated ZERO resources to do the job they have volunteered to do. In fact, it is not a prospect anymore. They are already allocated ZERO resources to do this job.
Why?
Because the present JPC and its immediate predecessor adopted a stance against the industrial direction of Jetstar Airways and instead in full support of the Pilot's Agreement and the needs and rights of not only the Jetstar pilot body but the Australian airline industry as a whole. This has included extended efforts to formalise all communications (no backroom deals), define consultation (presently viewed as "company talks, pilots accept without argument"), protect seniority (hence the "Right of Return" case in FWA) and involve the pilot body in the decision-making process (guardians of the agreement without the right to tamper with it un-invited).
Also, the JPC has at all times been against the formation of JQNZ, JQ SIN and any out-sourcing of work and mixing of crews on different contracts in the same flight-deck.
Now more than ever before, but certainly at least since June of 2009, the JPC has been performing in the role Jetstar's pilots deserve; not as a rubber-stamp but instead as an advocate of the pilot body.
I have no doubt that the JPC supports Joe Eakins and is against the way in which Jetstar is behaving. By not speaking out publically on the matter they are not only protecting thier own employment, but also remaining "in the game" in their efforts to change the way Jetstar treats its pilots.