an Iconic Picture Taken in the early 70's In NYC (FDNY) of 2 firemen and The dog riding the step..
I grew up during this era, In My Department(s) We rode the step, in fact never had Cross lay or Mattydales everything was "old school" (NO preconnects) at all and off the back step, a guy would grab a couple folds and go next guy takes a couple folds and goes next guy breaks and connects