Questioning the "honesty" of the TSO role is not hyperbole.

If you accept the argument that many activities at the checkpoint are violations of at least one constitutionally protected right, it's hard to call those activities an "honest living".

This also discounts the many, many instances most of us, myself included, have witnessed where TSOs are simply bad at their jobs in ways that reflect a lack of positive work ethic. That's arguably dishonest. (And also ignores the few who are caught engaged in theft...)

There's hyperbole and there's an honest assessment of the reality of the checkpoint.

Perhaps a more accurate statement would be: "They're just trying to make a buck using whatever opportunity is immediately available to them."

Or simply: "They're just trying to make a buck."