Shipping companies that call on Columbia River ports are opposing two rate hike requests from the pilots that guide commercial ships up and down the river. Pilots say it’s been too long since they’ve gotten a pay raise, and their incomes have fallen behind those of pilots at other West Coast ports – especially as the economy has dragged down the number of ships calling at Columbia River ports. … “The transportation system is what keeps this river open. It’s not for us,” said one bar pilot Captain. “The fact that we spend this money to keep the river open shouldn’t work to our detriment. … When your income drops by 30 percent and 60 percent of your income goes to infrastructure, that’s a 90 percent hit to your personal income.”
