Hot pack or raw pack cucumbers?

See some different methods for canning cukes with BWB .
Which method do you use and why?
Is one way better than the other?
First year pickling cukes here. Got some soaking in salted water and ice right now.
What does this soaking period accomplish ?
Thanks

I found out that packing raw pack the cucks shrink and float when processed
when they are cooked some they have already shrunk and you get a better pack down in the jar