[rich_sasha]

Surely the US customs etc can still find a way to intimidate and screw you over.

My limited experience is that they either train their staff for it, or pick people who enjoy it. Or both.

[decimalenough]

The staff in Dublin aren't any better, but the consequences are: you're not on US soil, so you can't be detained or deported.

[rich_sasha]

Sure, I got that. I more mean, does it really stop them from being assholes once you land? On paper perhaps, but in practice, I wouldn't bank on it.

[decimalenough]

The whole point of preclearance is that there is no border control on arrival into the US, you exit the airport like you were coming off a domestic flight.