TSA/Nexus/etc: worth it?

Take a look at the mobile passport app. Caveat: I haven't used it myself but recommended it to my son for his family on their trip to Mexico last year. He was so thankful! All five of them breezed right through immigration coming home to Denver. I first heard about it here so I'm sure many actual users will chime in. Mobile passport is an app. You can register all members of your family in one place and there are dedicated lines for it at quite a few US airports. I myself have Global Entry, which has simplified things immeasurably coming home from Europe. Of course, I am only assuming you are in the US! Not sure about Nexus. My Global Entry comes with PreCheck included for US carriers and some out of country airlines.

Global Entry costs $100 for five years. I've been doing 2 US to Europe trips a year, and some trips within the US--Definitely worth $20 a year TO me.

I have TSA Precheck and it is worth it even for two or three trips a year to not have to remove shoes, belt, liquids, and laptop.

We agree TSA Precheck is so worth it. Such a breeze to get through without the hassles. Great experiences.

I have Nexus, which gets you global entry AND pre-check AND the Canadian border fast track in car and by air. It's absolutely a no-brainer to get for anyone who travels internationally even once a year and who lives within a few hours of a Canadian border station. It's well worth the time to drive a few hours to the appointment (you can schedule your family all at the same time so only one trip needed).

I've used it driving into Canada multiple times, for pre-check on domestic flights in the US, for global entry when returning to US or Canada
AND if your family of 4 includes children, they are not charged the fee on Nexus but they would be if you applied via Global entry. Same result, but going through Nexus costs less.

Nexus Is the way to go if you have easy access to a screening location. 1/2 the cost of global entry and includes global entry as a benefit as well as TSA precheck.

I have TSA PreCheck. While it's great not to be required to remove shoes, liquids and laptops can stay in the bag, etc., you have to understand that this is not a golden ticket to always breezing through security. Since acquiring PreCheck, I have about a 50% rate of being stopped for 'random, additional screening' when going through security. At this rate, I'm thinking it would be easier (and certainly cheaper) to go through the regular line. That's just my experience, though. I had a poster on another travel forum once tell me that I must be wrong. I wished I could have referred her to my other half who has to wait for me at those times.

Another poster mentioned the Mobile Pass app for your phone. Now THAT is fantastic! It's a free app from CBP that's available for both iPhones and Androids. You enter your passport information and a photo before you leave. When you return to the US, you enter your flight information and answer the entry questions. Then you head to the Mobile Pass line when you arrive back in the States. We made it through JFK in five minutes that way. (Note: Not every airport offers a Mobile Pass line.)

I have had Pre-Check for several years. It is extremely rare for me to spend more than 5 minutes in line for security, and maybe 10 minutes at very busy times/airports. Even when security lines were horrendous a couple of summers ago. If that time saved is worth it to you, it is a great value. If you travel outside the US even once a year, Global Pass is worth it. Nexus is for transit to/from Canada.

Since acquiring PreCheck, I have about a 50% rate of being stopped for
'random, additional screening' when going through security. At this
rate, I'm thinking it would be easier (and certainly cheaper) to go
through the regular line.

Pre-Check does not absolve you from getting additional screening of bags or person when TSA identifies a reason or even random screenings. It only speeds the lines and eliminates the need to remove shoes/laptops/liquids (thus speeding the lines). I occasionally have my bag inspected because of something in it, and have to remove my cowboy boots because of the metal in them.

Pre-Check does not absolve you from getting additional screening of
bags or person when TSA identifies a reason or even random screenings.
It only speeds the lines and eliminates the need to remove
shoes/laptops/liquids (thus speeding the lines). I occasionally have
my bag inspected because of something in it, and have to remove my
cowboy boots because of the metal in them.

While you certainly could be chosen for an in depth baggage and personal search, you could also be instructed to remove the shoes on the TSA security line. I recently flew Jetblue from JFK to Ft Lauderdale (FLL). On the TSA Precheck line, we were told we had to take off our shoes and belts. Friggen annoying. I've never had to endure that on LGA or JFK flights to/from FLL. So nothing about security rules is certain.