HOTS never would have believed guns would get you through security faster but that is the case at the Texas State House in Austin. A new law allows those who have a concealed handgun license to skip the long lines and metal detectors. The permit holder does not actually have to carry a gun to speed through security, just a permit. HOTS sees the reasoning in that permit holders have already gone through a background check, but thinks it’s a little strange to let people with guns zip by security while the tourist who forgot to take their watch off may get stopped.

HOTS has learned Courtyard by Marriott’s restaurant The Bistro which can be found in more then 150 hotels, is changing the current menu to new “calorie count menus.” The new menus will have information on calories and fat counts, and will have low-carb, low-fat muffins and salads in addition. This puts Marriott in the forefront of the U.S. healthcare reform bill, which will require all chain restaurants to have calorie counts listed on the menus. HOTS likes this idea, and thinks it will make better eating decisions especially when it come to dessert.

HOTS wrote about Southwest Airlines last week regarding Double Rapid Reward points and how it hoped that Southwest would expand that particular offer to other markets, other than Philadelphia and the D.C. area airports. Southwest has came out with a fall fare sale which offers cheaper flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One way tickets can be purchased for as low as $49 one-way up to $159 if you are flying across country. Reservations must be made by August 5, 2010 by 11:59 pacific time, and are valid from September 7th through December 14th with the only blackout date, being November 23rd. HOTS probably is not responsible for getting these deals but is happy thinking someone at Southwest is a fan of the HOTS column.