Aviation workers: Gov't shutdown needlessly risks sky safety

Protesting aviation workers on Thursday said the federal government shutdown is needlessly risking safety in the skies.
The shutdown, now in its third week, drags on due to a stalemate between President Donald Trump and lawmakers over funding for a wall along the southern border with Mexico.
Thousands of federal air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents won't be getting a paycheck at the end of the week.
Hundreds of workers rallied in Washington, D.C. to demand that Congress and Trump end what they called a "harmful government shutdown."
Long Island Rep. Peter King was among the lawmakers supporting aviation workers at the rally. He stressed the importance of reopening the government.
Travelers at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma say they're concerned about the impact on air travel safety. They also called for a swift end to the shutdown.
Airports nationwide are urging travelers to arrive hours earlier than usual for their flights in light of increased wait times at security checkpoints.