number of the tables that are "full" because one person is sitting at the table while everyone else is in line waiting to order and get their food. Generally, the number of tables is large enough and the turnover of those tables is fast enough that if people were to simply wait until they got their food and then find a table, sit, and eat, that tables would open quickly enough that there wouldn't be too big of a problem with finding open space.

Heck, even the linked post showed that he was able to find another table within a few minutes so it's not like it was impossible to find one.

Of course, I understand the need for saving seats at times. But it's got to be a reasonable limit and not one person saving seats for a group of 10+. For instance, for a parade, if someone were to set blankets down to "save a spot", there should be at least one person for each blanket that was placed.