I am planning on traveling by airplane for the first time. What do I need to travel within the states? Do I need a passport or just an ID? Does it matter that I am not a citizen, just a resident?

well you will need some type of ID (a passport is a good one) but if you have any other government id (drivers license, etc that would do as well
now remember that you can't take any liquids over 3 oz though security
(although you can buy anything you want in the secure part of the airport
you should try to get to airport at *least* 2 hours early (you never know how long the lines
will be for check in, bag and security
now in some airports you will go though two security check points
one is what I call the document check point this TSA agent will want to see
your boarding pass and ID he or she will either stamp or intail depending on the airport
then then next will be the x-ray and metal detector
place all carry-ons into the trays provided including your shoes,
walk though the detector do not touch the sides and if there are no problems
then you are free to find your gate
which you should already know what gate number it will be boarding at
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usually about 1/2 to 15 minutes before departure they will say flight so and so is now
ready for boarding those in groups so and so can now board the aircraft /airplane at this
time
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find your seat and then if you have a window seat buckle your belt now
if you have alsie stand aside near your seat just in case some one else
book the window seat
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once you are settle in your seat look for the emergency diagram chart
which should be in the seat pocket in front of you then count the rows to the nearest exit
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by now the passengers should have boarded the aircraft
pay attention to the flight attendants instructions
then flight attendants will double check to make sure everyone has their seat belt
on and then the plane will be pushed back and will taxi to the runway
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then the captain will say flight attendants take your seat
and then the plane will gain enough speed to take off
don't worry about any noise you hear
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they would fly to their assign attitude
soon soon the captain will turn off the fasten seat belt sign
so you would be free to move about the cabin but when you return to your seat
buckle your seat
eventually your plane will descend for landing - then taxi to the gate
and then you find the baggage claim area and you have arrived