On average a waitstaff employee works 4 hour shifts.Your head waitstaff works closer to 6. Most go to school and this schedule makes it easy to take classes and work. The rational that they shouldn't make more than you is ludicrous. I was a waiter for 4 years and made good money for excellent service. had fun with my customers and never brought my feelings to work. From my experience as a waiter I am in the boat that unless you are just a complete a$$ hat you will get 15% minimum. My wife always gets on to me when I tip 25% or more. My response to her is "you don't get it". Commission based pay makes you work harder. Prove me wrong on that.... If service is crappy then they didn't work hard enough to make their commission on the sale. If you can't afford to pay for your meal and tip well, then hit the drive through. I as a customer can not justify the rational that if they have 4 tables and everyone tips $4 then they make $16. Some people sit for longer than an hour, that table may not see another customer all evening. If I am out with buddies(usually same place same waitress) we may be there for 3 hours, but you can be damn sure that she was paid for her time. Most places I frequent I know they staff schedule and will plan my meals according to who I know will take care of me and in turn I take care of them. The smallest tip I'll leave is $5 on a short inexpensive visit, even to-go orders.
Try waiting tables or bar backing before you decide what a person is worth.
A decade ago, when I was in college, I would work 3p - 11p at iHop, sometimes 11p - 7a, and sometimes 3p - 7a - with no breaks usually. On an 8hr shift I would average $200 in tips, on a 16hr shift usually a little over $300. I attributed that to the fact I was usually tired enough to fall over and didn't really care about the customers about 13-14 hours into a double. Regardless, it was decent money, more than a waiter deserved.