adding transitions w/out handles- just using media

I know how to use handles and everything like that.

I was just wondering, is there a way where Premiere Pro CS 6 does not use handles for transitions?

In other words, I have a clip and I'm using every frame of it and I put another clip next to it and it has no handles either. I want to put a crossfade between them. I know without handles this will not work.

I had read somewhere that Premiere can just use the media at the end and beginning of the 2 clips to make the transition.

Is this true?

On an old edtitng system I used to work on, this is how it was. There was no need for handles.

Just Curious.

Thanks in Advance