If you don't plan to commit and go up the ramp and shoulder up next to the pillars for cover, then it's better if you run up the ramp diagonally to get off your shot. Make your run toward the edge where you wanna drop off, get to the point where you can clear your weapons to fire, get off your shot, and then swerve off the ramp and drop off the side of the ramp. You remain a laterally moving, turning target throughout the shot, and MWO's exaggerated mech-gravity will pull you off the edge of the ramp and into safety in a hurry.
Hope that helps some newer players.
