This was probably true for a bit after 9/11, but I can’t say I personally know anyone who currently feels safer flying on planes because of the TSA. Pretty much everyone I’ve spoken to in person regarding this knows the TSA is a joke.
Realistically it’s now a government jobs program that is basically immune from ever being terminated because many politician benefits from having this program operate in their district/state/etc providing jobs that they do not want to lose.