Vehicle seating assembly with airbag carrier

1. A method of operating an airbag carrier comprising the steps of:

moving a carrier containing an airbag along a guide-channel of a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position; and

deploying the airbag in the seating assembly rearward direction into an occupant space of the seating assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

locking the carrier in the use position via a locking feature coupled to at least one of the carrier and the guide-channel.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the locking feature comprises an electric motor.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

exposing an electrical energy distribution point disposed on the carrier.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the carrier containing the airbag further comprises the step of:

moving the carrier with a propulsion feature.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the propulsion feature comprises an electric motor.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the propulsion feature comprises a pyrotechnic mechanism.

8. A method of operating an airbag carrier comprising the steps of:

moving a carrier that contains an airbag and is coupled to a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position along a guide-channel coupled to the seating assembly;

opening a release portion of the carrier to form a gap;

deploying the airbag through the gap in the seating assembly rearward direction; and

bracing the deployed airbag with a reactive surface defined by the opened release portion.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the release portion comprises a panel pivotally coupled to the carrier.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of:

pivoting the panel to an open position.