Pre-Check/Global Entry are some of the best relatively-small money we ever spent. Usually a shorter line. My SSSS experiences dropped to near zero since. (But I'm sure since I said that I'll get the magic wand tomorrow).

We picked them up shortly after the program started. I stumbled over a open slot at DFW just days away. Mrs.Jayer could not get a local slot, and ended up doing a turn to Albuquerque just to get an interview quickly. (The point being: If you travel enough to earn organic gold, then check your less-busy, non-hub destinations for available interview slots). Saved her months getting in.

You will be surprised how much they already know about your travel history. My guy was really quite friendly, but I was surprised when he asked about stops in Canada I'd made several years ago. Totally forgotten about them. Booked just because they were better connections for last-second trips from Texas to or from the US east coast.