/me saw some headline on SFGate about California folks not having a RealID about to get screwed.

Then I read the article and it was about long lines at the DMV for getting RealID before some early May deadline BS.

But, near as I can discern: the early May deadline BS is mostly about not being able to fly with just a regular drivers license? A RealID or passport are OK, so why not go for a passport instead? Also, maybe you can still fly with a birth certificate and other kinds of ID too?

TL;DR: I still do not understand why people are scrambling to get RealIDs and I still do not understand why anyone would pay extra for a RealID when a passport seems as if it does a lot more than a RealID.

Maybe someone can explain it to me? SFGate did nothing more than make me feel paranoid about something that seems as if it is still a waste of time and money.