Air New Zealand gets involved in hilarious 15-year-long prank war

By Christian Fleetwood

A long-running prank war between a father and daughter has been taken to new heights after Air New Zealand got in on the action mid-flight.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Kiwi actor Bridie Connell has been in an epic “pinch and a punch for the first of the month” prank war with her father for 15 years.

Connell revealed that, in the past, school principal meetings, family holidays, live-radio interviews and even funerals have been hunting grounds for pranks.

With the 1st of May just out of the way, Connell revealed that this month was particularly epic. The story unfolded mid-flight, as Connell flew to New Zealand.

Right. So my dad and I are both very competitive/stubborn. We have been locked in a battle of “pinch and a punch, first day of the month” for years. 15 years, to be exact. Neither of us remember how it started.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

The aim is to be the first to “pinch and punch”, Connell explained on social media, with most months being pretty low key; however, sometimes they up the ante and go out of their way to prank each other.

Each month, we each try to be the first to say “pinch and a punch, first day of the month, no returns.” You can do this however you like: in person, in a letter, in a song.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

Most months it’s pretty low key, but every so often one of us ups the ante. When I was 14, I was pulled out of school and sent to the principal’s office. I thought I was in trouble. I arrived to find my dad waiting, ready to deliver the blow. “Pinch and a punch!”

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

Once, I organised musicians to serenade him. He’s pranked me on live radio. I’ve got a tour guide to say the magic words in the middle of a holiday tour. He’s used my friends against me. It’s happened in a live poetry reading. It’s happened at a funeral. It ruins New Year’s Eve.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

Currently based in Melbourne, Connell revealed she plotted her revenge on a three-hour Air New Zealand flight, returning to New Zealand.

But her father was one-step ahead. The actor recorded the event as it unfolded via social media.

On 1 May, she was travelling for her cousin’s birthday; it was too early to call her father to wish him a “pinch and a punch”, so Connell elected to wait until she landed.

There are a series of rules to do with time zones (we live in different countries). There is a yearly tally. There is a jury made up of my aunties for when we can’t figure out who has won that particular month.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

While on board her flight, Connell said that a flight attendant approached her with a letter and revelead that she was receiving a seat upgrade. What followed is described as it happened via Connell’s social media feed.

@FlyAirNZ Air NZ, my favourite airline. Got moved to a seat with more legroom. Premium economy, winning! Free chocolate. Hooray! … And then.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

Oh. Is this how they let me know I’ve absolutely definitely been upgraded?

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

Beau hands me a letter. I open it.
I silently scream. It’s not an upgrade. Beau grins and shakes my hand. Hands me his card.
“And just remember you can’t call your dad, phones have to be in flight mode from … now.”

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

I have to hand it to my dad, and to Air Nz. And Beau, the most hilarious and lovely man.
I am SO annoyed but also SO impressed. And the worst part is tonight I’ll have to sit through a family dinner with everyone telling and retelling this story and dad being all smug.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

I’ve just spent three hours on a flight plotting my revenge (on dad and Beau). Submissions welcome.

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

pic.twitter.com/MmQ38DLHyA

— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019

The letter reads: “To my beloved daughter,

“I do hope you’re sitting back reclining comfortably as you wend your way across the Tasman. I can’t wait to see you, and I know you are going to be very excited and thrilled when you see me!

“By the way, while I remember… pinch and a punch for the first of the month, no returns!

“Ps Aren’t Air NZ flight staff fabulous? I really do understand why it’s your favourite airline!”, he wrote before signing off the letter with kisses.

Connell said she was annoyed that her father beat her to the punch, but that she was also very impressed.

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