teachin, if you want a stable roster keep away from charter airlines, and using hire cars for crew positioning is hardly unique (ask the guys at Emerald). Fact is the bigger the company the more stable the rosters and the better the transport (no doubt there are exceptions!). Simple economics.
Having worked in aviation for years I have just had to look up RUH and I don't think it unusual for crewing in any airline to be unfamiliar with a new destination. We all live and learn.