Air New Zealand helps Kiwi dad pull off epic 15-year-long prank battle with daughter
- Publish date
- Thursday, 2 May 2019, 11:38AM
A Kiwi woman's father has upped the ante in their 15-year-long prank battle by involving Air New Zealand staff.
Christchurch-born actor, Bridie Connell, who now lives in Melbourne, has been in an epic war with her father on who can wish the other a "pinch and a punch for the first of the month" first.
She explained that most months are pretty low key, but sometimes they up the ante and go out of their way to get to prank the other person first.
Connell revealed this month she plotted her revenge on a three-hour Air New Zealand flight, but her father got her good in the most unexpected way.
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
(My principal was very confused; apparently dad had set up the appointment to talk about my grades).
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
On May 1, she was travelling to New Zealand for her cousin's birthday, however, it was too early to call her father to wish his a "pinch and a punch" and she wanted to wait until she landed.
While the actor was coming up with a plan, her father had other ideas.
Dad and I think it’s funny. My mum and brother think it’s “immature”, “not even a real game” and that it “keeps ruining family holidays.”
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
Today is the 1st of May. First of the month!I’m flying home to NZ for my cousin’s birthday. It was an early flight - too early to call dad before I took off. “It’ll have to wait,” I thought as I settled into my seat.
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
And then a staff member comes over to my seat.
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
“Are you Bridie?”
“Yes...”
“I’m Beau. Nice to meet you.”
Omg it’s finally happening, the moment I have been dreaming of for years. I’m going to be UPGRADED, baby!!
“I have a special delivery for you, Bridie.”
Connell reveals that a flight attendant came up to her with a letter.
"To my most beloved daughter," the letter read.
Beau hands me a letter. I open it.
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
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.”
I’ve just spent three hours on a flight plotting my revenge (on dad and Beau). Submissions welcome.
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
"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!"
And then her father delivered the "punch": "By the way, while I remember... pinch and a punch for the first of the month, no returns!"
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
UPDATE: turns out the upgrade to premium economy was from @FlyAirNZ who felt ever so slightly guilty for helping papa prank me 🙏 I’m blessed
— Bridie Connell (@BridieKConnell) May 1, 2019
"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 was also very impressed.
This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.
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