This is what I have done to get start, so I recapture it here for others who may run into the same initial bewilderment as I was:

To use the sample flights as is at KSEA:

1.  Start with free flight and either choose the Cessna 172 or the Ultra light and choose KSEA.  Once you are in turn off the engine and leave avionics/radio on.  Then load the saved flight, either the Cold and dark or ready to take off.

2.  Begin program the FMC and configure the aircraft, fly.  You can go to the Aircraft option and choose another livery if you wish.

To start from the saved flights and choose another starting airport:

Do steps 1-2 above, go to world menu and choose your new airport/gate of your choice, save your new flights with different names.  You then have to go in and make sure that the data in the FMC match your new location.

The saved flight is the panel saved state, since CS does not provide panel saved option.

You can use the cold and dark and then once you get to the point of ready for engine start, you can then save that flight for that scenario.

I still have issues with some weird flight model behaviors, but at least now I can fly with some proper auto pilot behavior.

Hope this helps

Note that for those who want to start from scratch, load the cessna and turn off the engine while leaving the avionics on, and then switch to the CS 757 automatically put you into the cold and dark state.  The saved flights are poor man panel states saver.  It's not pretty but it works.

Vu Pham