This is apparently a very individual thing. It is similar to how no two people will set up a filing system the same or carry the same tools/supplies or organize them the same. in addition to that everyone has their attitude, comfort level, with sewage contents and accessories.
Why wouldn’t every station have a rock? I don’t want to carry one more thing big enough to secure a hose when everyone needs it. Have one at the station. I also do not want to haul more things with me that contacts the sewer. For me, those things require reasonable special handling. I do not cut anything with a knife that I cut raw chicken with unless the knife is washed. I don’t want things set on any ground around a dump pad sliding around in a cargo bay where I store water hoses, tools that I routinely handle before I touch hoses, door handles etc. Every inch of that dump pad area is contaminated with fecal matter from hundreds of people. I left my own cup full of sewage on the ground yesterday.
To me this is just sound health with more common sense than many imposed mandates. For instance, I would happily clean up a spill bare-handed then wash my hands properly before I would haul reusable gloves that had contact with sewage - my individual preference.
As a part-timer I would rather carry a rock and leave it or use a rod or board I could put my on the noodle, put my foot on it then stow with the noodle. I could just put my foot on the hose and make a simple hook to pull the valve open. The hook would stow with the noodle.
The end of my short hose has no fitting. I am not even sure it is not a raw end. I will examine it tomorrow. I fit right down the opening. Seems ideal from my limited experience.