Just pull & go. As a WSO, I used to keep a hand at the top of the handle on takeoff and uncomfortable landings - 1/4 second could be the difference between a swing in the chute & not. That way, all I had to do was make a fist and pull the sucker.
Never needed to, but I can remember a few landings bouncing from side to side where I came close...and the time an F-15 took the departure end barrier and didn’t tell anyone! By the time he appeared out of the rain, it was way too late, but somehow the nosegunner managed to slide us past him. Bit of grass in one tire, but we stopped, called the tower for him, and then cussed for several minutes in relief at being alive.
Departure end cable, to be more precise.
Thanks for the info. I grew up an air force brat, as they said back then. Buf’s and SAC though...