A method of pivoting an aircraft storage bin , wherein the aircraft storage bin includes a bucket that pivots with respect to an upper housing , the method comprising the steps of: pivoting the bucket from a closed position to an intermediate position, wherein a lift assist unit is attached to the upper housing at an end of the lift assist unit and extends to and is attached to the bucket at another end of the lift assist unit, wherein the lift assist unit includes a lift assist spring and a housing , wherein the lift assist spring extends between one of the ends of the lift assist unit and the housing, wherein at least one of the bucket or the upper housing includes a soft stop assembly having a trigger spring associated therewith, wherein the soft stop assembly includes an abutment member operatively associated with the trigger spring, wherein the abutment member extends downwardly from the upper housing such that when the bucket is in the intermediate position the abutment member contacts the bucket or upwardly from the bucket such that when the bucket is in the intermediate position the abutment member contacts the upper housing, placing weight that exceeds a predetermined weight threshold in the bucket, thereby causing the bucket to move to an open position, wherein the trigger spring is compressed when the bucket pivots to the open position, wherein the trigger spring is compressed to a predetermined level when the bucket is in the intermediate position and the weight in the bucket exceeds the predetermined weight threshold, wherein movement of the bucket to the open position causes a ratcheting mechanism of the housing of the lift assist unit to activate, thereby releasing the housing to move upwardly and provide lift assist as a result of the force from the lift assist spring, and pivoting the bucket from the open position to the closed position, wherein the lift assist unit provides assistance as the bucket is pivoting from the open position to the closed position. pivoting the bucket from a closed position to an intermediate position, wherein a lift assist unit is attached to the upper housing at an end of the lift assist unit and extends to and is attached to the bucket at another end of the lift assist unit, wherein the lift assist unit includes a lift assist spring and a housing , wherein the lift assist spring extends between one of the ends of the lift assist unit and the housing, wherein at least one of the bucket or the upper housing includes a soft stop assembly having a trigger spring associated therewith, wherein the soft stop assembly includes an abutment member operatively associated with the trigger spring, wherein the abutment member extends downwardly from the upper housing such that when the bucket is in the intermediate position the abutment member contacts the bucket or upwardly from the bucket such that when the bucket is in the intermediate position the abutment member contacts the upper housing, placing weight that exceeds a predetermined weight threshold in the bucket, thereby causing the bucket to move to an open position, wherein the trigger spring is compressed when the bucket pivots to the open position, wherein the trigger spring is compressed to a predetermined level when the bucket is in the intermediate position and the weight in the bucket exceeds the predetermined weight threshold, wherein movement of the bucket to the open position causes a ratcheting mechanism of the housing of the lift assist unit to activate, thereby releasing the housing to move upwardly and provide lift assist as a result of the force from the lift assist spring, and pivoting the bucket from the open position to the closed position, wherein the lift assist unit provides assistance as the bucket is pivoting from the open position to the closed position. <EOS>