Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - question about brick patio

I was given lots of brick with holes and was going to use them for a patio in the back yard. I was planning on setting them on their sides with about a 1/2 inch gap between each one. I was going to fill the gap with sand. I was talking to a brick company and they said that I shouldn't use brick with holes as they aren't made for use as patios. They said they aren't fired long enough and that in winter, due to freezing they would crack and crumble after several years. Is this true? Should I not use these since I don't want to redo this in 2 years?

They are fired harder than most solid brick, since that is, in fact, the reason for the cores. They are not good for patios for other reasons, chief among them the face size, which limits you to a running or stack bond, and the fact that both ice and ants love the cores. If you do lay them in a sand bed, do not lay them with a 1/2" joint, lay them tight.