I happen to be a pax, to the tune of Gold Elite last year on NW. I don't give a rat's azz what the pilots look like, and I doubt many of the other pax do either.
If you guys are so concerned about image than your airline ought to hire a bunch of models to parade around the airport in crisp, pressed unis and (god forbid) hats (if you must) so that the pax can see how professional your airline is. That is the only time they actually see the pilots anyway.
The real pilots should slip onboard via the ramp, get in and close the door. Sitting around in a cramped cockpit in polyester fire trap pants and a wrinkled shirt from sweating through 5-6 legs in 95 degree heat without a running APU and no ground cooling unit because the airline is too friggin cheap to pay for the fuel is not the way to stay crisp and "professional" looking. How do you expect a pilot to look after they just did a standup overnight in the RJ?
I have a lot more confidence in a SW FA wearing her khaki pants and comfortable polo shirt who is capable and competent than the FAs on Pinnacle in their nurse outfits who can barely read the FAA warning and announcement cards.
Give me professional pilots in comfortable, UNIFORM clothing and I will be a happy pax and crewmember.
You think you look more professional with your hat, good for you. That doesn't mean you are. It doesn't mean your opinion is the only one that is correct. You throw your opinion around as if it is a constant. Its not.
I'm telling you that most people are looking at you like you are a dork, no matter what you think. But if you feel like you are a professional because you have a hat I guess that is your right. Good luck with that.
FJ