My husband & I are planning to fly into Long Island/Islip (Southwest FF)in August. My question is... How long will it take to get to the Waldorf-Astoria and exactly how would one get there? Train, subway, taxi... This is our first trip there and I'm in charge of researching the particulars! Thanks for any helpful info you may have!

Get the information you seek straight from the source. Go to
http://www.macarthurairport.com/page...ortation.shtml
A car for four would cost $100 plus tolls and gratuity. Door to door service. Imagine it would take more than one hour- time you would be traveling is the critical factor.
Hampton Jitney - I think cost is $24 a person. Drive time probably same as above.
Shuttle from airport to LIRR train station. LIRR train to Penn Station. Cab to Waldorf. At least 2 hours, probably a bit more with waiting time. Train cost less than $10 a person. Cab from Penn Station to hotel - Less than $8 with tip.

I would amend drving time to 1 1/2 hrs to 1 3/4 hrs from Islip to Manhatan

I work nearby. The fastest and cheapest way to get to the Waldorf is the train from Ronkonkoma Station, which is 5 minutes away.

A car trip is 3 hours long if you do it during the morning or evening rush. The trip is only about 55 miles but they can be very brutal. In the middle of the night this trip can be done in less than an hour. Timing is important.

A morning rush train gets you to Penn Station in 70 minutes.

Thanks so much for your help! I'm going to check out the MacArthur Airport site now!