Even though I arrive at the airport early, I would have missed numerous flights if I didn't have pre. As far as jackets go, I've been asked to remove jackets more often than not that I just take it off to avoid the hassle. There was a while where I kept getting "randomly" selected for a hand swab.

An added bonus I have found is that at airports that officially don't have pre, I usually get a document that identifies me as pre and I don't have to remove shoes, take out liquids and can use the WTMD.