It's not odd to have weight restrictions on a 50-seat RJ, which is what I assume this is. However, if the paragraph about them holding the bags out the window and threatening pax with their bags not going with them is as I am reading it, I agree, very unprofessional.

And of all the regional carriers, I am very surprised to hear this from a SkyWest operation - they are usually very courteous, professional and some of the most customer-friendly crew in the US skies. I would absolutely send in a complaint over this. Having to IDB pax (or even bags) is one thing, but if it is in the way you described, absolutely unacceptable. Not sure why they didn't just IDB someone.

Also sounds like the bags that were pulled off were random, just happened to be the last ones to be loaded. I can say I would be absolutely livid if I were one of the pax to SYD, saw this show with the bags, and then upon arrival were to find out my bag didn't make it on the SYD flight.