ATR, I believe you're right, I'm sure there are lots of airlines that don't cover this important safety issue. I don't believe CRM should just stop at Tech/Cabin Crew though; what about the ground staff?.
I spent 12 years in the Royal Air Force in ATC. Whenever we moved to a new Unit with a different A/C type to what we were used too, it was expected of us to visit the Engineering section to be given a tour of the new A/C being told "what hangs down where", "if you see a leak here" etc. etc. because you never know when you'll need that sort of knowledge. I now work for one of the big two Aussie airlines and still look for things that shouldn't be!.
A good example of all of this; some years ago in Sydney, one of our Airside Passenger Bus Drivers noticed smoke from one of the wheels of a taxying Air New Zealand B767, got on the radio to Ops who notified the tower, therefore allowing the crash crews to get there before it became a major incident.
A little knowledge is better than non at all when it comes to aircraft safety. If in doubt of what you're seeing or have seen, ask or tell someone, you'll never make a fool of yourself.
[This message has been edited by Squawk Ident (edited 23 August 1999).]