Crush washer orientation question

On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:45:59 GMT, the inscrutable Bobbie the Triple Killer spake:

When I wrenched for a living, I was taught to put the cone up toward the bolt head and I always did it that way with no leaks. Hundreds of replacements later, the bolts came with nylon flat washers which precluded having to think about it.

I believe the theory was that the cone would crush against the root of the bolt to make a good seal vs. possibly tearing in the oil pan nut/opening.