No one likes long lines at immigration or passport control. But one government program — and it might surprise you to learn that it’s been around since 1952 — is my favorite when it comes to flying back to the U.S. from overseas.

It’s called pre-clearance —you clear U.S. customs and immigration prior to boarding your flight back home. And when you land, there are no long lines.

In fact, there are no lines at all. You just go to your connecting flight, or simply get your bags and go home. It can often save hours.

It’s at every Canadian airport with nonstop flights to the U.S., also in Dublin and Shannon in Ireland, in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and in Bermuda, Aruba and Nassau in the Bahamas.