Security lines are where good itineraries go to die. The programs that speed them up are worth understanding, because the right combination can turn a stressful sprint into a walk to the gate.
PreCheck keeps your shoes and laptop where they are and usually offers the shortest wait for domestic flights. Clear moves you to the front of the identity check using biometrics. Global Entry covers the return through customs on international trips and includes PreCheck. Many frequent travelers pair Clear with PreCheck for the fastest domestic experience.
Check whether a travel card reimburses the application fees, since several do. The enrollment takes an afternoon, but the time returned over a few years of travel is measured in hours.