Real-ID vs passport?

Real ID is good for domestic flights and some cruise ships. You'll need a passport card and/or REAL passport to cross into another country. I've crossed into Canada & Mexico with my passport card in a car; but I still had my REAL passport on me - just in case. This was before the current administration started 'pissing everyone off'.
Your REAL passport will always "Trump" the passport card. Whenever I renew, I always get both and keep them is separate places while traveling. I haven't had any issues, but I haven't lost either while traveling - so basically don't know what happens when you show up at the US embassy in a foreign country with just your passport card or nothing at all, but claiming to be a US citizen.
If they let you into the country, you obviously had a valid REAL passport on you at some point.

 

I've had both for about two decades now and just the passport book before that. I didn't rush out to get a 'real ID' because I had the card. My DL eventually expired and I upgraded to a real ID. It was funny looking at the lines wrapped around the DMV in those months following the LAST deadline - it was extended several times. I believe my DL expired during the first deadline extension.

 

Someone told you wrong. TSA lists many acceptable IDs. Both U.S. and foreign passports are on this list:

Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint | Transportation Security Administration

Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint

Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID.

• State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or identification cards
  • If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles (or equivalent).
  • A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
• Mobile Driver's Licenses (mDLs): TSA accepts certain mDLs issued by states that have been approved for Federal use.
  • The mDL must be based on a REAL ID, EDL, or EID.
  • Approved states are listed at Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs | Transportation Security Administration
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

TSA is also accepting the following Digital Identification as a part of our ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security:

• Apple Digital ID
• Clear ID
• Google ID Pass

 

Real ID is a verified drivers license - typically verified with a birth certificate or passport.

In Texas drivers license renewals required verification of this type many years ago.

For international travel a passport is needed and for a few bucks more you can get a passport card.

These days what you really want is a passport, TSA Precheck and ideally Global Entry. Both get you in faster lines with less checks; the first getting on any US flight domestic or international and the second getting through customs when returning to the US. Both are real time and stress reducers.

 

My state issues Standard and Enhanced, Driver Licenses and ID cards. "REAL ID is a law, not an actual piece of ID."

Proof of U.S. citizenship and social security number are required for an EDL or EID. But non-citizen drivers need driver licenses too, so the Standard version remains available for them, and for citizens who don't wish to pay the up-charge or link their DL to their other documents. The same applies to state ID cards issued to residents who don't drive but still need an ID. Both of these are real and verified, but not REAL ID.

Does Texas have any driver licensing for non-citizens?

 

Yes although visitors with their countries license don't need a Texas license. Insurance is required as well.

With that said a huge percentage of all drivers have no insurance.

 

I fly to get to work a few times a month. I do not have a real ID. I do have a US passport. it's fine, it's plenty good.

You don't even have to get the full book-style passport, the cheaper card-style one is also valid.

I will probably get a real ID at some point, but since I have to fly internationally for some of my work I've already committed to carrying a passport anyway.

I've never bothered with pre-check, global entry or the rest. There have been a handful of occasions where it would have saved me a few minutes getting through security... so I could spend time appreciating a slightly different part of the airport. Just never made much of a difference to me.

If I ever get a gig in Antarctica I'll be able to claim that I've worked on all 7 contintents.