In an FCC apparatus and process structured packing should be located at the very top of the stripping section in an upper region. The lower region below the structural packing may be equipped with fluidization equipment such as stripping media distributors and one or more gratings. This arrangement enables stripping of entrained hydrocarbons off the incoming catalyst immediately upon entry into the stripping section allowing the entrained hydrocarbon to exit the stripping section with minimized residence time to minimize post-riser cracking. Revamp of stripping sections with tall stripping sections should conducted in this way to improve performance and reduce down-time for equipment installation.