As the federal government shutdown stretches on, air travel isn’t expected to be immediately disrupted, but travelers are being urged to prepare for the unexpected . Long Island airports like MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma are currently operating normally, and flights at Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports are still on schedule. But experts say that if the shutdown continues, staffing issues could lead to delays — a concern as many Long Islanders prepare to travel over the busy Columbus Day weekend.

Here’s what Long Islanders should know and do to stay ahead of potential disruptions.

Arrive early

Even if flights continue normally, expect slower-than-usual security checks if the shutdown persists. TSA officials say 61,000 of its 64,000 employees are exempt from the shutdown, but

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