Yes, it's fucking obnoxious that it exists at all, given the "security theater" of it all, but man... being able to breeze past the super long lines at the airport is such a better experience.
I have a "NEXUS" pass. Joint prescreen/vetting between USA/Canada. Cost less than $100 and beyond the initial online application I had to take a trip to border/customs for an in person interview (essentially identity confirmation).
I travel between BC and Washington regularly enough and the wait in line for a NEXUS crossing is measured in minutes, not hours. It also gives you the security pass/upgrade for any Canadian or US airport.
The NEXUS is cheaper than PreCheck, and it gives you NEXUS, PreCheck, and GlobalEntry privileges. I have no idea why the deal is so good, but if you're in driving distance of Canada, it's totally worth it.
Global Entry is generally better, save for I believe driving privileges at the Canadian border, and since most people get any of the three for free you may as well get GE.
Sorry, yeah that. I think one or two comes with it with no annual fee too, but if you travel enough to make use of GE, it’s prob worthwhile to get an annual fee one as well
I hate simping for the government, but damn if TSA pre-check ain't amazing. I can't fly without it now, makes everything so much less stressful.
I breeze past the 20-30 minute regular security line and walk right up to the pre-check. I haven't had to wait more than 5-7 minutes at most, even at huge busy airports like O'Hare or SeaTac.