It give you a better sense of closeness. I don't think that it is a must before meeting, but I do think it is helpful.
Really? I've never found that to be true with either my cam or my girlfriends.
That's very true. If you have a little pimple, it sometimes can make it seem a lot more noticeable.
You can always unplug it though. It's not that you HAVE to keep it plugged in.
There is one other con I can think of. It can promote a sense of jealousy, thinking that the other is getting on cam for other people doing things you wouldn't like. This is not at all a guarantee, but it is a possibility.
