Unfortunately, it still goes on, usually by people who want in and out as quickly as possible.
There is no doubt, that soaking will give great cleaning results, but, if it's a fitted carpet, it simply can't be done
It's the best way to clean rugs, " total immersion "but only in a controlled environment, which includes, controlled drying over poles.
Think the Numatic was a bit bigger than your namesake George, but no extraction machine would cope with that scenario
robbie