Latest posts for the topic "Free Alex Casey!"

Free Alex Casey!

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:40:47 GMT

Anyone know what the story is behind the arrest of this British ski instructor in Megeve?

I'm prejudging the whole thing and starting a freedom campaign in this thread ;)

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/skiers-protest-as-french-police-seize-british-instructor-in-piste-wars-8558315.html

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 22:11:37 GMT

Sadly, par for the course, and why I refuse to ski in France any more. That and the obnoxious queuing behaviour, congestion, and inflated prices. Brits should go elsewhere in the Alps or N.America. Despite its defendants, this is a cartel that wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else in the EU.

I suggest we start writing to the French Ambassador in the UK, demanding the instructor's release and stating that we will stop holidaying in France and encourage others to do likewise.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 07:13:08 GMT

As I have said previously on the ski leading thread if people are unhappy with what is happening in the French alps they should protest with their skis and move on to a different country. :thumbup:

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 09:36:04 GMT

Am afraid guy should be locked up. Interesting that just for the sake of a bit of French bashing people are willing to tolerate person working without correct qualifications.

Would you accept a non qualified person to fit a boiler or do dodgy electrics in your home? Look at what just happened in Lake District, exactly why countries have laws to protect consumer and the person who has invested in getting correct credentials. Responding back with list of exceptions to various laws and what/when/exactly they should apply to, this is promotion of chaos. Western society is civilized because of laws, guy could not follow them, society therefore expects punishment.

He has no more right to opt out law then I do to break speed limit, avoid tax, litter etc.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:32:19 GMT

Would you accept a non qualified person to fit a boiler or do dodgy electrics in your home? Look at what just happened in Lake District, exactly why countries have laws to protect consumer and the person who has invested in getting correct credentials. Responding back with list of exceptions to various laws and what/when/exactly they should apply to, this is promotion of chaos. Western society is civilized because of laws, guy could not follow them, society therefore expects punishment.

I think this is following a previous thread...when (and is) a ski host an instructor?....Many on this forum have their views....French instructors and French people tend to agree with this (French) law the other 69000 tend to disagree. When the French follow all the EU laws set out...I think it has been shown they are the least likely nation to heed EU legislation unless it is to their advantage then perhaps I may listen...till then I'm holidaying in Italy, Austria,Switzerland and anywhere other than France that has snow....And curiously I like the French!! -)

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:57:55 GMT

bald-eagleman wrote:

Would you accept a non qualified person to fit a boiler or do dodgy electrics in your home? Look at what just happened in Lake District, exactly why countries have laws to protect consumer and the person who has invested in getting correct credentials. Responding back with list of exceptions to various laws and what/when/exactly they should apply to, this is promotion of chaos. Western society is civilized because of laws, guy could not follow them, society therefore expects punishment.

I think this is following a previous thread...when (and is) a ski host an instructor?....Many on this forum have their views....French instructors and French people tend to agree with this (French) law the other 69000 tend to disagree. When the French follow all the EU laws set out...I think it has been shown they are the least likely nation to heed EU legislation unless it is to their advantage then perhaps I may listen...till then I'm holidaying in Italy, Austria,Switzerland and anywhere other than France that has snow....And curiously I like the French!! -)

Here Here Baldy :thumbup:

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 11:20:53 GMT

Nothing to do with hosts. Guy was acting as a ski instructor without having done Eurotest as required in France. Basically ripping of instructors of all nationalities working in France.

Am not sure where EU comes into this. Guy broke French law and is in jail for it.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 11:56:56 GMT

Clearly the guy was breaking the law so that's his problem.

Nothing changes my views on skiing in France. There are places I will go to, others I'm not so keen on, the same goes for other countries too. The downside of France is definitely the rude people and over inflated prices but you know that's going to be the case when you go so you put up with it or go elsewhere.

As was said on the previous hosting thread, this is not an issue that affects where id go to ski.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 18:14:17 GMT

I am a New Zealander working as a Ski Instructor in Switzerland. What people are not realising here is that under EU law, a person with a European Qualification, MUST by law be able to be recognised as having a qualification. If he has a BASI Qualification the French, MUST, by law recognise this. That they are choosing to add an extra for non French citizens is actually illegal and is the subject of much discussion at present, not only in skiing, but in other fields. Even Switzerland, although not an EU country, has signed up to this.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 20:30:35 GMT

On this evening's SE News the point was made that if he was French working for a French ski school, with the qualifications he has he would not be arrested. It's protectionism plain and simple.

In the long run, the French ski industry will suffer more than it gains. Ski companies wanting to offer domaine familiarisation to clients will go to to oher countries. It's just not good publicity generally.

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 22:23:02 GMT

This has been going on for years. Neither Alex Casey nor his employer Simon Butler appear to have the qualifications (BASI Level 4 ISTD plus European speed test) required to allow them to work as ski instructors outside a recognised ski school in France. Simon Butler has been prosecuted 3 times, in the latest case he received a 3 month suspended prison sentence, it looks like Alex is facing the same http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22029309

If Alex was a stagiaire in a French ski school I think he would have 4 years to complete his training after that he would have had to either pack it in or start again from the beginning.

All the alpine countries have quite strict laws governing ski instruction e.g. if someone is caught working illegally in Italy they are prosecuted under the law that is used for people caught practicing medicine without a license. There is an outline of the rules and regulations governing the employment of ski instructors in various countries on the BASI website http://www.basi.org.uk/content/countries-rules--regulations-for-employment.aspx

Re:Free Alex Casey!

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 18:36:20 GMT

"He has no more right to opt out law then I do to break speed limit, avoid tax, litter etc. "

People break the speed limit all the time, avoiding tax is perfectly legal and littering? Well I'm sure we all do that at some point but none of us get dragged off in cuffs and thrown in a cell.

Even if he has broken the law, it is perfectly legitimate for people to question the law.

Is the law correct?
Is it being fairly and evenly applied?

I think most people would agree that on this last point being a British ski instructor, rather than French, is a clear disadvantage to employment. Being in breach of the law, the French are not as harshly punished either.